Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17
The Return of Darren Waller
The struggles of quarterback Derek Carr have been well documented at this point, but before you come with your pitchforks for the eight-starter — remember, his receiving unit has been decimated to oblivion.
A quarterback sometimes is only as great as his targets, and when you lose one of the best tight ends in football in Darren Waller, well that speaks volumes for a drop in your passing numbers.
With the release of top receiver Henry Ruggs earlier in the season, a lackluster replacement in DeSean Jackson, and having to rely on a slew of young receivers, it would seem very likely that Carr would struggle, which he has.
Waller has been missing due to injury since the Thanksgiving win over the Dallas Cowboys. With such little already in terms of talent, Carr has had to over-rely on slot receiver Hunter Renfrow as his other targets in Bryan Edwards, Zay Jones, and the aforementioned Jackson has been an inconsistent bunch.
The likely return of Waller in this game will pay huge dividends to a lethargic Raider passing game, and just might see the once-promising 2021 MVP candidate in Carr, return to his first 300-yard passing performance since the Turkey day victory.
The return of Waller would be huge and would come just in time as the Raiders offense and playoff hopes need a huge jolt. With Waller returning, this Raider team may just have the ability to shock the world and overtake the talented Colts in Indianapolis on Sunday.