By Jordan Long
The Oakland Raiders defeated the Indianapolis Colts 33-25 on Saturday, improving their record to 12-3. In the win, they lost starting quarterback Derek Carr to a broken right fibula. The injury occurred with 11:07 left to play in the game. Backup quarterback Matt McGloin finished the game. Carr is now out indefinitely. According to ESPN, Head Coach Jack Del Rio said, “It obviously is a blow. That’s what teams do; teams have to find a way to pick up and move on. We’ll rally around the next guy as best we can. That’s what you do.” How could this affect their Super Bowl chances?
Derek Carr was having a career year and was even considered an MVP candidate. He threw for 3,933 yards and 28 touchdowns. Carr was protecting the football with only 6 interceptions and 2 fumbles for a total of 8 turnovers. The offense clicked. When McGloin went out on the field on Saturday, the offense wasn’t efficient. He threw four passes, two of them where completed for 39 yards.
The Raiders playoff and Super Bowl hopes rest on Matt McGloin. He hasn’t started a game for the Raiders since 2013. That year he went 1-5. McGloin must be able to protect the football. He can’t force the ball down the field because that might equal interceptions and gives the other team the ball in decent field position to score.
The Raiders first test with McGloin at quarterback comes on Sunday against the Broncos. A Raider win would give them the AFC West Division and the much desired bye week. A Broncos’ win and the Raiders would be a Wild Card team, the #5 seed in the AFC Playoffs. The Raiders need the bye week. McGloin would have an extra week of game plan preparation and practice with the number one offense. That will make McGloin more comfortable running the Raiders’ offense in the postseason.
What do you think of the Raiders playoffs chances with Matt McGloin?
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