The San Francisco 49ers collapsed from up-and-coming contend

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worst teams in a matter of weeks. Losing franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 3 and lead running back Jerick McKinnon prior to the season has proven too much to bear http://www.the49ersfootballauthentic.com/george-kittle-jersey-authentic , as it would for the vast majority of teams in the NFL. The issues with turnovers, assignments and tackling have only made the on-field product that much more unbearable.Despite everything working against them, Kyle Shanahan’s squad can’t afford to lose on Thursday when the Oakland Raiders make the short trip South to Levi’s Stadium.The 49ers’ second loss to the 2-6 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Glendale, AZ proved a new low-point in the season — blowing a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter to one of the NFL’s worst offenses. The last-second botched snap at mid-field to end any chance at a game-tying field goal was an exclamation point on the harsh reality that the 49ers have a long way to go before competing.The 49ers’ fanbase has already set their sights on the 2019 NFL Draft. Understandably so, given the gaping holes in the roster, most notably at pass rusher. Besides, the only acceptable consolation prize for a season this disappointing would be the most coveted trophy among the loser’s bracket — the No. 1 overall pick. How many of you just said “Nick Bosa” to yourself? Unfortunately, the 1-6 Raiders are also in contention for the honor of first-overall. Draft position be damned, San Francisco’s players, coaches and staff cannot afford to lose the Battle of the Bay.The Raiders are the 49ers with organizational disarray taking the forefront over injuries. They may be without running back Marshawn Lynch and tackle Donald Penn, but they’re nowhere near as ravaged as the 49ers Womens Arik Armstead Jersey , who may even be starting third-string quarterback Nick Mullens if C.J. Beathard’s wrist injury persists. Instead, the catalyst seems to be embattled head coach Jon Gruden, who began his 10-year, $100-million tenure with Oakland by drastically altering the landscape of the organization. He traded away two of the Raiders’ top weapons on both sides of the ball in defensive end Khalil Mack and receiver Amari Copper.The 1-7 Raiders under Gruden have found a way to make headlines for the wrong reasons in 2018, with franchise players like quarterback Derek Carr taking to Twitter to reaffirm his commitment to the silver and black. Things in Oakland are slowly deteriorating as the team creeps toward their eventual 2020 move to Las Vegas.The 49ers may not have earned any real confidence at this point in the season but it still seems fair to expect them to beat the Raiders on Thursday at Levi’s Stadium. Failing to overcome an equally struggling team with as much baggage as the Raiders will cast a new shadow over the 49ers regime of Shanahan and general manager John Lynch - one that borders on doubt more than pity. Morale among the 49ers after their Week 8 collapse against the Cardinals, from the top down, was as low as it should ever be in 2018. This team needs a win, for the sake of the players, coaches and staff, even if that means sacrificing valuable draft position in the process. The Bay Area rival Raiders, in front of the home crowd Youth Mike Person Jersey , under the lights of prime time, are an opportunity the 49ers can’t afford to let slip away. With quarterbacks racking up passing yards at a record pace, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman criticized the league for rules that he says unfairly favor offenses.The four-time Pro Bowler said defenses are at a severe disadvantage given the rules geared toward protecting quarterbacks."This is what the league wanted though. They wanted record passing numbers," Sherman said. "You can't touch (the quarterback). You can't tackle him. You can't hit him high. You can't hit him low. You can't knock him down to the ground hard."You can't hit a receiver high. You can't hit him low. You can't push him, you can barely press him. It's making it really difficult on teams to combat it because every rule in the book is designed to make sure you don't get them stopped."There's no debating the video game-like numbers being posted. Through the first four weeks, the totals for points scored (3,030), touchdowns (344) and touchdown passes (228) are all the highest in NFL history.The frequency of roughing-the-passer penalties has been criticized."The roughing (penalty) is the biggest one right now," Sherman said. "But most of the tackling rules have changed. They're just trying to make it impossible for guys to play defense."The league's goal is to reduce the injuries to the starting quarterbacks. This affected the 49ers as Jimmy Garoppolo will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his knee against Kansas City on Sept. 23. He was hurt scrambling to the sideline."My suggestion is to put flags on the quarterbacks," Sherman said jokingly. "If you don't want them touched, don't want them getting knocked down. These D-ends and D-tackles and linebackers have long arms. They'll be able to snatch these flags off without even having to touch these guys half the time."Sherman hopes to get back on the field. After sitting out Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers because of a strained left calf http://www.the49ersfootballauthentic.com/laken-tomlinson-jersey-authentic , the veteran practiced in limited fashion Thursday and wouldn't rule himself out for Sunday's home game against Arizona.After Sherman was injured in Week 3 against Kansas City, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said the expectation was that Sherman likely would miss "a couple" games.The 49ers have started Jimmie Ward in Sherman's place, although Greg Mabin rotated in at cornerback with both Ward and Ahkello Witherspoon against the Chargers. Mabin forced a fumble and earned praise from the coaching staff.He showed "great physicality, competitive toughness, communication skills," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. "He did play very well in the game."Saleh said Mabin would rotate in at cornerback again. If Sherman can go, that will affect things one way or another.NOTES: Left tackle Joe Staley (knee) did not practice Thursday. But two of the 49ers other starting offensive linemen battling knee injuries, center Weston Richburg and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, practiced in limited fashion. Running back Matt Breida (shoulder) and receiver Marquise Goodwin (quadriceps, hamstring) also were limited. ... The starting safety tandem of Adrian Colbert (hip) and Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) participated fully as did running back Alfred Morris (knee).