Question for Mark Ford - Oak vs. SF

[Veeshik_ya]

In a story by Don Banks on SI.com (http://www.si.com/nfl/2014/11/12/afl-hi ... nd-raiders), John Madden talks about how, when he first got the Oakland job, he was told "beat the 49ers and you will always have a job here."

At that time, according to Madden, they were only playing in the preseason.

Mark, based on your research, how well did Madden's Raiders fare vs. the 49ers in preseason games during his tenure?

[Bryan]

The Raiders defeated the Niners 42-28 in their 1969 preseason encounter, FWIW.

[Mark L. Ford]

Madden's Raiders were 9 and 1 in the ten preseason "Battle of the Bay" games from 1969 to 1978. In regular season, Madden lost his first game against the 49ers in the closing game of 1970, at home in front of a sold out crowd, but he had already clinched the AFC West title the week before by beating the Chiefs, so it didn't matter. He made it all the way to the AFC title game despite an 8-4-2 regular finish that year. He won his only other encounter with the 49ers, beating them in San Francisco in 1974.

[Veeshik_ya]

Thanks Mark, looks like Madden took that bit of advice to heart.

Will have to pick up your books soon.