Oakland Raiders Future Getting Brighter With Derek Carr

Oct 12, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks for a receiver during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Up until Week 6, Derek Carr looked like another classic rookie quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.  Then the San Diego game happened.

San Diego Chargers and AFC put on notice by Carr

In retrospect they really had no cause for worry.  The San Diego Chargers were rolling, fielding both one of the best offenses and a suprisingly great defense that rated 3rd against the pass and 1st in points allowed.  They faced a dispirited Raiders team that hadn’t won a game with a rookie quarterback who just saw his head coach get fired.  How hard could it be to beat them?

Harder than they ever expected.  Behind the right arm of Derek Carr, Oakland gave the Bolts all they could handle and more, throwing four touchdown passes to three different receivers and dissecting what had been one of the best secondaries in the NFL.  Only a big game from Philip Rivers, who was rarely pressured, saved San Diego from what would’ve been the upset of the season.  In the end the Chargers escaped with a 31-28 win but it was the Raiders who had cause for excitement.  Their investment in Carr had showed serious dividends for the first time.

It doesn’t guarantee anything special for the 2014 season.  The division is too tough and Carr still too raw.  However, the Oakland Raiders can take solace in knowing that if they keep building the team properly they have the quarterback they need to finally end years of playoff drought.