Oakland Raiders: A few keys to beating Chargers in week five matchup

Make Better Decisions

This one falls squarely at the feet of Derek Carr – he just hasn’t done a terrific job of making good decisions with the football. At least, not consistently enough.

There’s no question that when he’s on, he’s on. Look at his 90 percent completion percentage, zero interception performance against Denver, and how he cut up their offense. Look at his exploition on some deep shots to Jordy Nelson against Miami.

As good as he is when he’s on, he’s equally as bad when he’s not – as his seven interceptions so far this year, can attest to.

Now, to be fair, this is his first year in HC Jon Gruden’s system. It takes time to learn all of the different nuances of the system, and to get comfortable in it. Lest we forget, Rich Gannon was not an MVP his first year in Gruden’s system, and presided over an up and down 8-8 season with the team, having some stellar games, and some poor games as well, along the way.

For now, Carr is leading a top-five passing unit in this league – and an offense that’s ranked second overall. However, they’re only fourteenth in scoring offense, and Carr has thrown just six touchdowns. Stacked up against his seven interceptions, that’s not a great look.

To be fair, not all of the picks are Carr’s fault. His receivers haven’t helped him out in a few instances. But, his decision making on others, has been abysmal. Consider the momentum-swinging interception he threw in the endzone against the Rams. Or the momentum-swinging interception he threw – again, in the endzone – against Miami.

Simply put, if Carr and this offense are really going to explode, start putting up some points, and become a legit threat in this league, he is going to have to make better decisions with the football.