Derek Carr: 5 reasons Raiders can win in Week 5 without him
By John Buhler
It might be rough for the Oakland Raiders without Derek Carr for the next few weeks, but here are five reasons the Raiders can win without him in Week 5.
On Monday, the Oakland Raiders are faced with the harsh reality that they will be without their starting quarterback Derek Carr for the next two to four weeks. He suffered a transverse process fracture in his back. This injury will keep him sidelined for the next month or so.
He sustained this fracture on a play where Denver Broncos defensive tackle Adam Gotsis‘ knee would hit Carr in the back as he was falling to the ground on a sack. When Carr didn’t get up right away, Raider Nation knew something was wrong.
Carr would get to his feet on his own power, but he walked gingerly into the locker room at Mile High. He obviously did not return to the game for the Raiders, but his backup EJ Manuel did his best to keep the Raiders in a tight ball game in Denver. An interception by Justin Simmons would seal the deal for the Broncos, as the Raiders would fall 16-10 to Denver.
Oakland has to get ready for its Week 5 game at home versus the Baltimore Ravens. Though the Ravens have an imposing defense, here are five reasons the Raiders can win in Week 5 without Carr under center.
The team could rally to win this one for Carr
Oakland has dropped its last two games. This is the first time since the 2015 NFL season that the Raiders have dropped two straight regular season games. Oakland would lose consecutively last year, but that came in Week 17 to the Broncos and in the AFC Wild Card game on the road to the Houston Texans.
Simply put, the Raiders weren’t able to show that they could get it done in their first two games without Carr last year. Perhaps the third time is a charm? Knowing that they will be without their Pro Bowl signal caller, this could have the Silver and Black playing with more poise and awareness than we’ve seen in the first quarter of the season.
Essentially, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Raiders rally together to win this one versus the Ravens at home for Carr. It will take a great defensive showing from Khalil Mack and company, as well as a soundly executed game from a Manuel-led offense.
Some teams play their best ball in the face of adversity. Football is a game of attrition, and while it stinks that Carr will be out until probably sometime in November, let’s see what the Raiders are made of in his absence. Maybe they can rise to the occasion in their first game of the year without him?