Las Vegas Raiders: 3 keys to victory over the New York Jets

Las Vegas Raiders: 3 keys to victory over the New York Jets

Huge game from Derek Carr

The final and most important key, in my opinion, to this game that trumps all, has to do with the leader of the team, Derek Carr. I’m making a bold statement right now that may be unfavorable for some, but Carr has to get his ball security issues under control or he will not be the long term answer for the future.

Derek Carr is not Jameis Winston luckily and usually is safe about where he is placing the ball when he slings it. But Sunday’s game was a reminder of how he can go from elite level of play to a turnover machine that costs them the game in the blink of an eye.

He must have more awareness of securing the football when the pocket collapses and know when it’s time to just take a sack.

Carr knows this, as does the rest of the world. Since coming into the league, Carr has more fumbles than any other player, so while he does not throw many interceptions, he does have a tendency to give the ball back at times.

I have long been a Carr supporter, but this recurring problem cannot continue if the Raiders want to take the next step as a serious contender in the AFC. Yes, not all have been Carr’s fault, but frankly, when the numbers are that high, the excuses for the reason why are erroneous.

Carr absolutely has to come out of this game with a truly dominating performance. Jacobs is out, and the Jets actually have a fairly decent run defense. Gang Green’s secondary is another story though, as they have been pretty much awful all year given up the third-most passing yards in the league with 3,124 total.

This is mainly due to no more Jamal Adams floating around deep, Brian Poole the nickel corner is on IR, and the starting corners happen to both be rookies. If Carr truly was having an “MVP” level season before last week’s game, he needs to go out and pick apart a weak Jets secondary.