The 2019 NFL season has already turned into a rough ride for the Oakland Raiders as they have opened up 1-2 after back-to-back losses. In their most recent loss to the Minnesota Vikings, they were unable to stop the run and allowed the Vikings to control the time of possession.
Heading into Week 4, Oakland takes on an Indianapolis Colts team that has rebounded well despite the unexpected retirement of Andrew Luck prior to the season. Jacoby Brissett has performed admirably, leading the Colts to a 2-1 record atop the AFC South standings.
According to Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Bay Area, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr sympathized with Brissett and Indianapolis’ situation:
“It reminds me so much of — now he didn’t retire — but of my rookie year,” Carr said Wednesday. “Like, going into Week 1, I still was like, ‘OK, I’ll play someday.’ I played in the preseason because I thought we were just resting [Matt Schaub] and his elbow, and then all of a sudden I come in and they’re like, ‘Hey, you’re starting.’ Oh, sweet. Rex Ryan, New York Jets. That’ll be awesome, you know? The first start, when the whole time it’s been, “OK, I’ll play someday in the future.’
“You can’t hide the excitement as a competitor,” Carr continued turning back to Brissett. “So I’m sure he was excited, but you feel for your teammate. I’m sure he feels for Andrew. Like, Andrew didn’t want to retire, right? His body had enough. Trust me, there are a lot of guys in the locker room who as soon as they retire, they’re like, ‘Man, I understand.’
“Going through all those injuries, that’s not fun. Especially internal injuries. That’s different. You feel for them, but at the same time you’re excited, and again, football is a team sport. So I’m sure his teammates just put their arms around him and said, ‘OK, let’s roll.’”
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden also could not help but praise the Colts’ decision to stick with Brissett as their quarterback:
“They did a good job getting Brissett,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “Not a lot of teams have a superstar quarterback retire who can turn the ball over to a guy like this. You know, Brissett is a winner. He’s a heck of a player. He’s getting paid well, too. He’s not your average Dayton Flyer like me. I mean this guy is a hell of a player.
“So I don’t want to underestimate him at all. He has done an excellent job.”
Colts head coach Frank Reich has proven to be one of the most creative and effective play-callers in the league and it has shown with what he has been able to do with Brissett manning the offense.
While not nearly the same offensive force they were with Luck, Brissett has more than held his own during the early goings, throwing seven touchdown passes compared to only one interception.
With a defense that has yet to make life difficult for the opposing quarterback, the Silver and Black could once again find themselves in an uphill battle when they play the Colts. Another loss could put Oakland’s playoff hopes in jeopardy only a quarter of the way through the season.
