SANTA CLARA — For the 49ers, there’s nothing quite like a win over the Raiders.
Even when the city preceding the team name is Las Vegas, rather than Oakland.
“Battle of the Bay,” linebacker Fred Warner said after the 38-17 victory. “Regardless of if they’re in Las Vegas now, we’ve gotta show out for all our fans, all our Faithful, and make sure they know who runs the Bay.”
Although the Raiders left Oakland in 2020 after 25 years, the old rivalry remains — along with a heavy contingent of fans coloring the Levi’s Stadium stands black, white and silver.
As usual when the two teams meet, tempers flared in the seats as much as they did on the field. There was at least one brawl in the parking lot and another fight in the stands that caught players’ attention. The last time the teams met in Santa Clara, in 2018, police made 32 arrests.
Sometimes players don’t buy into the rivalry as much as the fans.
But that’s not the case when it comes to Warner and the Raiders.
“Leading up to this game was probably the most I’ve had people on the outside telling me, Fred, you guys have to beat the Raiders,” Warner said. “So I’m like, ‘All right, all right, I got you.’”
The game was only the second time the former cross-bay rivals have met since the Raiders skipped town for Las Vegas. San Francisco has gotten the upper hand both times.
The all-time series was tied at seven games apiece when the Raiders up and left.
Now, the 49ers own the edge, 9-7.
Warner played a major factor, trailing only fellow linebacker Dre Greenlaw with five combined tackles, forcing one fumble and recovering another in the end zone. All told, the 49ers defense took the ball away from the Raiders five times in the second half — three interceptions and two fumbles.
Before kickoff, Warner reminded his teammates — it’s not just a game against a team from Las Vegas. This was one of the 49ers’ most hated rivals — the Oakland Raiders.
“It’s important for the Bay,” Warner said. “We’ve got a lot of history of the Raiders being in Oakland. But now with them being in Vegas, you’ve gotta love the atmosphere, love the juice, so that’s why I said beat the Oakland Raiders today. Got an extra edge going against these guys.”
