5 Raiders to watch against the Chiefs

One look at the AFC West standings and it’s clear: this is a big week for the Raiders. Here are the players who must step up vs. the Chiefs.

QB Derek Carr

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr faces criticism often, as do most veteran signal-callers without a playoff win. This week, however, the chatter came from his former coach in Oakland, Jack Del Rio, who said Carr struggles in cold-weather games. Carr responded during his Wednesday press conference, and Del Rio kept the narrative alive with a response of his own via Twitter.

Del Rio leans on facts to back his statement, and it’s easy to see why. Carr is 1-8 in as a starter when the temperature is below 45 degrees, averaging 181 yards through the air and a 55 percent completion rate, per Kawahara. The forecasted temperature in Kansas City Sunday is in the low 40s. Carr’s already coming off a cold-weather loss last week in New York, lending recent evidence to Del Rio’s claim.

Plus, Carr has never won in Arrowhead Stadium, posting a quarterback rating of 61.9 in five games, his worst mark in any stadium he’s played in two times or more, according to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.

Carr has a great opportunity Sunday to break that streak and show he’s not merely a California QB unable to handle late-season football weather. He’ll need help from Jacobs and the run game, just as he’s enjoyed all year in orchestrating Gruden’s balanced offense. He and Gruden may even be wise to hand the ball to Jacobs when the Chiefs bring extra defenders to stop him, giving the RB and the offensive line, along with Ingold, a chance to put the defense on its heels and set Carr up for play-action passes.

The Raiders have shown mental toughness all season, and this is yet another challenge. But the physical identity they’ve formed should serve them well against a formidable opponent that relies on finesse. Carr may have a bad record in cold weather, but Gruden is building a club that can win anywhere, in any conditions. Sunday will be a difficult test, and if they pass, a share of first place in the AFC West will be theirs.

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