5 realistic expectations for the Oakland Raiders in Week 9

The Raiders score 30 points

This Raiders offense really took a big step forward in Week 8, and it all had to do with the fact that Derek Carr looked like the Carr from the 2016 season. Faced with pressure, Carr did not fall down, or take the sack, but stepped up, and delivered big throw after big throw.

That is what this team is going to need from him if he is going to play out  his contract, because if they do decide to build around him, they need him to be more of the player who nearly won the Most Valuable Player Award in 2016. Carr showed he can make every throw needed to lead a team down the field, and did it without Amari Cooper, who has been one of his main targets over the course of his career.

On Thursday, the Silver and Black will be facing a San Francisco 49ers defense that is pretty banged up, and Carr should be able to dice them up if the offensive line plays as well as they did on Sunday. The Raiders just looked better on offense in Week 8, and playing in a rivalry game on the road, you can expect them to get close to the 30 point mark, as Carr could be hitting his stride here in the second half of the season.