Derek Carr vs. Ron Parker
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr could make this watch list every week given the position he plays. That being said, any time he has to go up against the Chiefs, Raider Nation tends to cringe a little bit. This has been historically the one team that has given him the most fits. Carr’s worst game last year came at Arrowhead on Thursday Night Football late in the season.
Fortunately for Carr, the Chiefs defense has resolved into Swiss cheese since All-Pro safety Eric Berry tore his Achilles’ back in Week 1. His extended absence has put too much of a burden defensively on safety Ron Parker, as Daniel Sorensen has not been able to prove he’s worthy of starting on most teams.
Carr may not be totally sure if he’ll have Amari Cooper available in this game due to injuries he sustained in Week 12 versus the Denver Broncos. However, he will have Michael Crabtree back and other guys like Cordarrelle Patterson and Clive Walford stepped up last week for the Raiders.
Even though this is a road game, Carr should not have a problem averaging more than 8.0 yards per attempt against this awful Chiefs defense. He may have to win a shootout versus Alex Smith on Sunday, but Carr does seem to have the upper hand on Parker in his matchup.