Derek Carr is the unquestionable Raiders starting quarterback
But Brady went to Tampa, and when the Raiders kicked off against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, Carr was the starting quarterback. He said the team was always transparent with him, and his job was never in doubt. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop him from hearing the rumors. Also, Brady’s face showed up in the Las Vegas newspaper as soon as he moved to Sin City and Carr’s didn’t.
Now, the Buccaneers travel to that same city, with Brady as their quarterback, and Carr has every opportunity to prove that the Raiders made the right decision by picking him. If the same man that shredded a respected Kansas City Chiefs defense last week shows up at home, he has a real chance at doing just that.
What does the future hold for the Silver and Black?
Unfortunately for Raider Nation, this is professional football, not professional wrestling. Long-term booking has the Las Vegas Raiders as the upstart babyface, looking to exorcise their demons, and put the past away. How great would it be for the Raiders to beat the team that ended their last real chance at glory, with the man that destroyed their franchise under center? It would be Gruden’s redemption, Carr’s catharsis, and a 4-2 start for a team Colin Cowherd said would win five games.
For all these reasons, the Raiders should be motivated heading into next Sunday night. They’ll be fresh coming off the bye, finally getting healthy, and riding the momentum of the win in Kansas City. But their opponents won’t roll over. Tom Brady’s played well this year, and their run defense is going to give Josh Jacobs a rough time.
But if the Raiders can win this game? Not only will they have conquered many, many demons, but they will have established themselves as a team to be taken seriously. They will have beaten two of the league’s best quarterbacks, on bonafide contending teams, in consecutive weeks. And considering the Raiders have the easiest remaining schedule? Well, a win against Tampa wouldn’t guarantee a Super Bowl, but it would certainly suggest a division title in their not-so-distant future.
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