The Oakland Raiders defeated the Indianapolis Colts 33-25 for their 12th win of the season, putting them just one win away from clinching the AFC West and a first round bye.
The win came at an expense though, as Raiders Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr went down with an injured leg in the second half after being sacked.
The injury ended up being serious, as Carr fractured his fibula, requiring surgery and a minimum recovery time of 6-8 weeks, which most likely ends his season.
With Carr out, backup Matt McGloin becomes the team’s starter for the remainder of the season. The fourth-year quarterback out of Penn State has not started a game since his rookie year in 2013, but he said that he is ready to go, via Raiders.com:
“I’m ready to go. I feel great and it has been great working with Derek Carr the past few years and working together and seeing what he has done on the field trying to learn from that. I’m ready to go. I know this team, these guys around me, this staff, this organization will do a great job of helping me out and embracing me. Just making sure we continue to move in the right direction.”
McGloin added that his routine and preparation will not change, despite him now being the starter:
“It really doesn’t. You are still practicing, coming in early and leaving late. I always prepare as if I am a starter and now I am going to continue and do the same thing. Keep my regimen the same, stay focused, stay ready and try to play to the best of my ability.”
McGloin’s first test in the Raiders Week 17 matchup on the road against the Denver Broncos. The game is a big one for the Raiders, as a win will give them a first round bye and then a home playoff game to follow.
A loss against the Broncos and a win by the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Diego Chargers would drop the Raiders to the No. 5 seed, meaning they don’t get a bye and they would need to go on the road for their first playoff game.
In seven games (six starts) in 2013, his last extended playing time, McGloin completed 55.9 percent of his passes for 1,547 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.
