The Oakland Raiders (7-2) have reached new heights with their commanding victory over the Denver Broncos (6-3), as they now sit atop the AFC West, deservingly peering down at their division rivals attempting to claw their way to the top.
With outstanding efforts in all three phases of the Oakland Raiders’ 30-20 victory over the Broncos, it’s difficult to pinpoint which player rose above the rest.
Here’s an in-depth look at how ProFootballFocus.com graded Oakland’s premiere performers in their Week 9 win over Denver on Sunday Night Football.
Derek Carr Remains Consistent Against Strong Denver Secondary
In the midst of his name emerging in the MVP conversation, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr earned an opportunity to solidify his position in the race against one of the best defenses in the country on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
In response, Carr left his finger off the NOS button to keep from pulling too far in front, but he did make the necessary pit stops to leave the 1st place ribbon in reach.
Carr completed 20 of 31 passes for 184 yards and zero touchdowns, leaving the game without a score for the first time this season.
According to PFF.com, Carr earned a 70.1 overall grade.
As predicted, Carr earned a bulk of his yardage targeting Broncos boundary corner Bradley Roby.
"“From the first drive of the game, it was clear Derek Carr intended to attack Broncos CB Bradley Roby throughout the evening, and he did so with success on a variety of slant and in-routes,” via Josh Liskiewitz of PFF.com. “He completed eight passes into Roby’s coverage (on 14 targets) for 99 yards, five of them going to WR Amari Cooper.”"
Cooper finished the contest with a team-high 6 receptions for 56 yards.
Other than Denver’s two defensive pass interference penalties deep down the field, Carr was held without any big plays, but his ability to remain both confident and accurate against the Broncos’ secondary beneath the limelight speaks to the young gunslinger’s ability as a leader.
However, he won’t refrain from revealing his goofy side if that’s what it takes.
"“I’m just trying to grow and find the little things I can grow with to motivate my teammates,” Carr said, via Raiders.com. “”Whether I think about it or not, they’re looking at me all the time. So, anything I can do to get them going, make them laugh, if I hit them with a dance, or something like that. A lot of them still don’t know I can dance. So it’s always fun to shock them because they love it. I had fun with that.”"
If a dance from Carr is what it takes for his teammates to follow his lead, an order for ballet slippers should have already been placed.