Oakland Raiders: 5 matchups to watch vs. New York Giants

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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass against the Denver Broncos during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Derek Carr vs. Landon Collins

Derek Carr might be down two receivers in this game. He won’t have top-tier possession receiver Michael Crabtree available, as he will be suspended for this game for fighting Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib last week. Carr’s No. 1 target Amari Cooper could be out as well, as he is dealing with a myriad of injuries suffered on Sunday.

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So what is Carr to do? Just keep slinging that football. Throwing the ball downfield has resulted in all five of the Raiders’ wins this season. When Carr becomes captain check down, Oakland lacks the dynamism to win ball games on account of having a porous defense. Carr can spread the ball around to guys like tight end Jared Cook and receivers Cordarrelle Patterson, Seth Roberts and Johnny Holton.

However, Carr does have to be aware that the Giants have an elite ballhawk in the middle of their defense in Landon Collins. Though the Giants are having a terrible year, Collins was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for New York. He was an All-Pro last season for the Giants. The guy lives to make plays on the football.

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While Carr needs to stretch the field vertically with his arm, he can’t be a total gunslinger in this game. Collins will pick off an errant throw or two. Carr can afford to throw a pick or two in this game, but he probably needs to keep tabs on where Collins is in the New York defensive backfield all afternoon.

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