The Oakland Raiders and Derek Carr suffered a tough loss on Sunday against the Chiefs and heading into Week 14 the team will rely on Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper to help Carr rebound against the Broncos. That will be no easy task against one of the top defenses in the league, but the Raiders feel they have a chance to pull an upset against Denver with Brock Osweiler starting.
Carr has been having a very strong season for the Raiders, but last week he struggled a bit and had three interceptions in the game against the Chiefs. The Raiders dealt with some poorly timed drops from receivers in the game, but Carr also had a very bad second half, which is when he threw all three of his interceptions. The Raiders were trying to stay in the game at that point, but Carr likely wishes he could have some of those throws back.
Head coach Jack Del Rio said he remains confident in his team despite the loss to Kansas City after the Raiders blew a lead in the fourth quarter. Del Rio said to Bill Williamson at ESPN that "we have a good group of players. They believe in each other ... I believe in these guys." Carr threw three interceptions in nine-minute stretch and that was killer for the Raiders and now the team will try and rebound against the Broncos, which will not be an easy thing to do.
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The Raiders have been on the cusp of playoff contention for most of the season in the AFC and while the loss puts a big dent in things, Del Rio said he still thinks the team can make a run. The team was 4-3 at one point this season before losing four of the last five games and now it will be up to Carr and the offense to try and turn things around. Carr has thrown for 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season and he is about to pass his rookie year numbers in passing yards from last season. Carr has been more accurate than last year, completing 63 percent of his passes compared to 58 percent as a rookie.
Both Latavius Murray and Amari Cooper have helped Carr and the offense be more productive and those players will be key against the Broncos. Cooper had a couple tough drops in the game against the Chiefs and now he will get the chance to rebound in Week 14 as well. Cooper has put up strong numbers this season as a rookie with 62 catches for 920 yards and four touchdowns, while Murray is leading the team with 851 rushing yards. Michael Crabtree and Seth Roberts could be solid sleeper options this week despite the tough matchup, while Murray and Cooper are strong start options for fantasy owners.
The Raiders defense has shown some improvement this season, especially Khalil Mack, who Del Rio said is emerging as a high level pass rusher in the NFL. Del Rio said to ESPN that Mack has taken "another step forward" and continues to develop. This season Mack has nine sacks, including two in each of the past two games.
