I wrote last week about the Oakland Raiders being built for a Super Bowl Run, but now we have to ask that question again, except without Derek Carr.
Or do we?
Carr underwent surgery on December 27th, with the procedure being determined a success. The bone is already on the mend with no ligament damage.
So what does that mean?
Is a Raiders Super Bowl Run Possible Without Derek Carr?
It means Carr has a real chance to play again this season. Now before you start saying it could jeopardize his future to come back, you might wan to learn a bit about a fibula break of this nature.
First the fibula only bares 15% of the weight on your leg, while the tibia bares 85%. Second, there is very little risk to Carr’s career, should he have a set back. Most players do not rush this type of injury in the regular season because a setback could cost them the remainder of the season. Usual time required for recovery is six to eight weeks. However, a few players have shortened that time due to the playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Jack Youngblood played the entire 1979 playoffs with a broken fibula, and actually performed well. No lasting effect. Oakland Raiders great Charles Woodson cracked his fibula on December 2nd then re-aggravated it in week 15, had surgery the following Tuesday, and was ready to go in the first playoff game. No lasting effect. Tory James also broke his right fibula that same year and missed four weeks. Again, no lasting effect.
I could list others, but you get the point. And that point is it’s certainly possible that Carr can make it back this season.
Until then, in Matt McGloin we trust!
Matt McGloin: You Dream of this Opportunity
One thing we can say about Matty Mac G is he certainly does not lack for confidence. And he is going to need every bit of it going again Denver’s “No Fly Zone” defense. Fortunately for the Raiders, the Denver Broncos run defense has not been able to stop anyone. The last time they faced each other in Oakland, the Raiders offensive line mauled the Denver defense, and the Raiders ran for over 200 yards.
As long as the Raiders come out of Denver with a win, then their playoff outlook is quite hopeful. Not only that, but the Miami Dolphins have a decent chance to upset the New England Patriots in Miami. Should that happen, and the Raiders would know before they took the field on Sunday, then a Raiders win in Denver would snatch them the top playoff seed. If that were to happen, all roads to the Super Bowl go through Oakland. Whether it is Carr or McGloin at the helm, playing in Oakland would definitely improve the Raiders chance to reach Super Bowl LI.
