Oakland Raiders Can Upset the Arizona Cardinals

Carr is Rolling

After not having a choice this preseason, former head coach Dennis Allen started the Carr but left it parked in the driveway. The super-conservative Allen didn’t allow him to do anything but throw 5-yard routes and opposing secondaries jumped those. Plus the Raiders couldn’t run because you can defend the run and the short pass with 8-man or 9-man fronts.

And one game into the Sparano era, it looks like the Carr is going to be rolling at magnificent speeds around Raider Nation. Sparano actually wants Carr to use that big arm of his to go deep down the field and get explosive plays. And that’s allowing the Raiders to run the ball more because opposing defenses know what Carr can do with the Raiders’ fast receivers.

Not only is the running game open now but the short passing game is too as opposing secondaries aren’t jumping routes anymore. Letting Carr just play has led the Raiders from averaging 12 points per game to scoring 28 against a Top-5 NFL defense. The Cardinals are ranked dead last against the pass as they have only five sacks this season with corner Patrick Peterson playing hurt.