Oakland Raiders look like a playoff team this year

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to throw a pass against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Franchise quarterback

Everything we’ve covered here so far is built around 2014 2nd-round draft steal Derek Carr. A few weeks ago, he was named by NFL Network as the best 25-and-under quarterback in the NFL. And in a quarterback class that includes 1st-rounders Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles, Carr is the best of them.

That is due to Carr making the biggest jump to year two of the three quarterbacks. So far this year, Carr has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1793 yards, 15 TDs and only 3 ints. He has total command of his offense this year to make a huge improvement against the blitz.

Last year against the blitz, Carr completed 50 percent of his passes for 8 TDs and had 22.5 Total QBR. This year against the blitz, he has completed 60 percent of his passes for 6 TDs and a 76.6 QBR. Carr has murdered the blitz this year to the point where New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles, who loves to blitz more than anyone in the NFL, only blitzed him once.

Yes, Carr has opposing head coaches and defensive coordinators afraid to blitz him these days. Let’s not get it too twisted here, a large portion for his big jump is owed to the weapons they have around him compared to last year. But Carr looks very much like he’s going to be the franchise quarterback that the Raiders need him to be.

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