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Derek Carr can use Eagles game as launching pad into 2018

By John Buhler

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders runs onto the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders runs onto the field prior to their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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It has been a rough year for Derek Carr, but he and the Oakland Raiders can use the Week 16 game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles as a stepping stone for 2018.

The Oakland Raiders may very well be eliminated from playoff contention in the AFC before they even take the field on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. Oakland needs like three teams to lose out, plus some other stuff to even have a shot of getting it. It’s not realistic, it’s Saturday and this is the Black Hole Roll Call.

Though it has been a rough year for all involved, it has been especially tough for franchise quarterback Derek Carr. While he is a Pro Bowl alternate, Carr has been anything but the NFL MVP candidate he was a year ago. The Raiders’ passing game has been erratic all season, but Carr and company can hopefully use the Philadelphia game as a stepping stone for a brighter 2018.

One thing that has gone right for the Raiders has been the pass rush. Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin is having the best year of his career, while it has been more of the same for superstar defensive end Khalil Mack. Even in a down-ish year for Mack, he still has over 10 quarterback sacks for the third straight season.

Here is some of the best news you might have missed on the Raiders from Friday.

Kurtenbach: What if this is as good as it gets for the Raiders? – Dieter Kurtenbach of The Bay Area News Group

Kurtenbach does bring up a valid point. Perhaps the 2016 NFL season was the outlier for the Silver and Black? The team won a ridiculous seven games in the fourth quarter. If the 2015 and 2017 Raiders are closer to what we’ll realistically get out of the team going forward, we may have to find a way to accept that.

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Derek Carr has to use Eagles game to improve craft – Ted Nguyen of FanRag Sports

Moving the sticks on the Eagles defense will be tough sledding. However, this could be the best opportunity for Carr to grow into year five. If the Raiders are already out of playoff contention, there is no reason for him not to go down swinging, airing it out in this nationally televised ball game.

Thompson: If Derek Carr is ‘absolutely better’ after this rough season, Raiders are in good long-term shape – Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic

Rather than admitting that this was a bad year for him professionally, Carr is viewing 2017 as a year in which he got better. Maybe that comes in the intangibles or how he handles adversity? It hasn’t translated on the field, but we have to believe that Carr will bounce back and flourish in 2018 for the Silver and Black.

Next: Raiders: 5 keys for an upset of Eagles in Week 16

Pick Six: Will Khalil Mack Keep Rolling In Philadelphia? – Eddie Paskal of Raiders.com

Mack has been a dominating pass rusher especially of late. Getting pressure on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles might be easier than it would have been on the more mobile Carson Wentz. That being said, Philadelphia has some great players on the offensive line, including guard Brandon Brooks and tackle Lane Johnson.

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