With Week 3 of preseason football wrapping up, the 2017 NFL season is only a little over a week away. For the Oakland Raiders, the new season can not come soon enough as the team is healthy and has every reason to be hopeful for a deep postseason run.
The Raiders’ Super Bowl chances rely heavily on their star quarterback, Derek Carr. After enjoying an MVP-caliber 2016 NFL campaign, Carr suffered a broken leg and was ruled out for the rest of the season. However, the signal caller has fully recovered and according to Vic Tafur of SF Gate, Carr is looking forward to the new season:
I’m locked in,” Carr said. “I’m ready for the season to start.”
Carr impressed in his only two preseason appearances, completing 20 out of 26 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns. There were a few concerns about how he might look, but it appears the two-time Pro Bowler has not missed a beat. In their most recent preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, Carr treated fans to touchdown throws to wide receivers Amari Cooper and Cordarrelle Patterson, flashing signs of what the team’s offense will look like.
While expectations for the Raiders are high, early signs from the preseason are encouraging. Despite Oakland’s continued struggles on the defensive end, the offense is clicking and should keep the team in most games throughout the year. Carr has already made it known he wants to win ‘multiple’ Super Bowls and the 2017 NFL season represents what might be the Raiders’ best shot at claiming their first one in over three decades.