Raiders need Derek Carr to play like he did last time against Carolina

It has been four years since the Raiders franchise took on the Carolina Panthers, and that was during their magical 2016 NFL season.

The last time the Raiders played the Carolina Panthers back in 2016, the two franchise were headed in completely different directions. The Panthers went into that matchup with a 4-6 record, which was quite surprising considering they went 15-1 the previous season, and lost to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.

The Raiders, on the other hand, were in the middle of their most dominant season in 15 years, as they were trying to make the playoffs for only the second time since 2002. With a defense led by eventual Defensive Player of the Year, Khalil Mack, the Raiders were also seeing the emergence of quarterback Derek Carr as one of the best young arms in the game.

Oakland got out to a fast start against Carolina, heading into the locker room with a 24-7 lead thanks to an interception return for a touchdown by Mack. Carolina surged back in the second half, taking a 32-24 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Carr would lead his team back for another home victory.

The win helped move the Raiders to 9-2 on the season, and was their fifth straight win, putting them in position to make a real statement in the AFC. Unfortunately, we all know how that 2016 season ended, as a Carr broken leg would finish any chance they had to make a serious run to the Super Bowl.