What if Derek Carr didn’t break his leg
Derek Carr brought the organization back to their winning ways early in his career, leading the team to the playoffs in 2016 and posting an MVP caliber season. Unfortunately, the worst possible thing happened to the team, as Carr would end up breaking his leg against the Indianapolis Colts in a Week 16 matchup, ending any chance the team had to make a Super Bowl run.
In terms of that season, many people believed that team was the best team in the AFC, and had a legit shot at winning the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, without Carr, the Raiders had no chance in the playoffs, as Connor Cook made his NFL starting debut against a tough Houston Texans team.
If Carr was never injured, the Raiders not only may have gone far in 2016, but for years to come. The Raiders ended up firing their offensive coordinator after the season, and Carr seemed uncomfortable and less confident. Whether that be because of the coaching changes, or fear of injuries, nothing was the same for Carr or the team after that Week 16 game in 2016.
If that injury never happened, the team may still be winning, Jack Del Rio may still be the team’s coach, and Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper may still be with the team. Instead, the team has struggled with a pass rush issue, have had a lack of weapons for Carr, and although they are starting to turn things around, they have not had a winning season since the injury.