After an embarrassing loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 3, the Oakland Raiders looked to right the ship against their AFC West division rivals, the Denver Broncos. However, the Raiders’ offense was once again stifled by the Broncos’ staunch defense and they lost 16-10.
Now sitting at 2-2 and third in their division, Oakland is looking vulnerable and out of synch on the field. The defense was always going to be a question mark for the team, but now the offense is having trouble moving the chains and making plays.
To make matters worse, Derek Carr left the game against Denver with an apparent back injury and according to Fallon Smith of NBC Sports, Carr is set to miss several weeks of action:
Derek Carr suffered a transverse process fracture (minor spine fracture) will be out 2 to 6 weeks #Raiders
— Fallon Marie Christopher (@FallonSmithTV) October 2, 2017
Any time a team loses its starting quarterback they will struggle, but for the Raiders this is about as big of a blow as it gets. Carr has been called the “triggerman” for their offense by head coach Jack Del Rio, but now the team will have to find their source of offense somewhere else.
Oakland backup EJ Manual figures to be Carr’s replacement for the time being as he finished the remainder of the game against the Broncos. Manuel played admirably, completing 11 passes for 106 yards, but gave up an interception late in the fourth quarter that sealed the game for Denver.
This is a delicate time for the Raiders as they’re schedule does not ease up much. They will draw the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5.
