Las Vegas Raiders: 5 musts for the offense to succeed in 2021

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 musts for the offense to succeed in 2021

1. Derek Carr needs to be more aggressive…and careful with the ball

This final item is a two-for-one as the Raiders will need their quarterback to be both more aggressive and more careful all at once. Last season, Carr took more chances and threw more deep balls than ever before and he was rewarded with the best year of his career.

All of his averages were up from yards per completion to air yards per attempt and he was dynamite as a passer.

Carr even began to use his legs more often and had the highest rushing total of his career with 140 yards on 39 carries. He had more rushing yards and touchdowns in 2020 than he did the last two years combined and it was a key to the offense as he rushed for 16 first downs.

This combination of a willingness to tuck it and run and a desire to sling it downfield made for some magic moments for the Raiders offense and they will need more of the same in 2021. Carr has some big-time weapons that can stretch the field and will have plenty of opportunities to exploit defenses for big gains.

On the flip side, Carr has to be more careful with the ball and focus on ball security when in the pocket or on the run. He had just nine interceptions so he was careful in the air but had an absurd 11 fumbles which came both in the pocket and as a rusher. Carr knows that this is one of the weaknesses in his game and he has said this offseason that he has made it a primary focus.

If Derek Carr can play at the level he did in 2020 and also focus on keeping the ball away from the other team, we can expect this offense to be as potent and dangerous as it has ever been during his tenure with the Raiders.