On Sunday, Oakland Raiders fans received what they hope is their first glimpse of the future, with quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Amari Cooper connecting seven times for 109 yards and a touchdown.
After that performance, how close are Carr and Cooper to becoming the best quarterback-wide receiver combination in the AFC West? Which other tandems are still in this conversation?
Watch as Stephen Nelson and Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Chris Simms break down the options and who Simms thinks holds the crown for best tandem in the division in the video above.Read more Oakland Raiders news on BleacherReport.com
The Oakland Raiders upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens presents some interesting storylines going forward. Some focus points should cause concern, and others provide a breath of fresh air to a franchise trying to rise from obscurity.
The Raiders' entertaining 37-33 victory raised question marks for those seeing the glass half-empty. How did an offensively limited team put up 33 points on defensive coordinator Ken Norton’s talented defense?
For those seeing the glass half-full, there’s an uncontrollable excitement for the strides made on offense. Quarterback Derek Carr transitioned from a conservative game manager to a gutsy gamer against a formidable defense.
We’ll go ...
The Oakland Raiders didn’t know who’d start at quarterback after Derek Carr bruised his hand in the regular-season opener.
Days later, Carr took 99 percent of the snaps during practice. In a press conference, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Carr's throws improved from Wednesday to Thursday, which increased his chances of retaining his starting position.
In addition to Carr’s hand injury, his underwhelming performance in a quarter and a half led to the idea of possibly starting backup quarterback Matt McGloin. Some fans wanted to see McGloin under center after a full week of practice.
Some analysts justified the substitution with their own opinions. Carr quickly ...
The Oakland Raiders redeemed themselves with a thrilling 37-33 shootout win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. This contest developed into everything you wouldn’t have expected.
Both offenses looked anemic in Week 1. On paper, this game looked like a defensive matchup. However, the outcome produced a total of 70 points.
Baltimore’s secondary ranked third in the league in pass coverage, per Pro Football Focus. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns, including an 80-yard game-winning drive.
Throughout the offseason, Oakland’s defensive line projected as the unit to help an inexperienced secondary. On the contrary, the secondary made some ...
The Oakland Raiders faced a difficult matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 of the NFL season, but that didn’t stop the passing attack from racking up impressive numbers on the way to a 37-33 victory.
That is music to the ears of fantasy owners relying on quarterback Derek Carr and wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Here is a look at their final stats from Sunday’s game:
Carr and Cooper wasted little time making a fantasy impact Sunday when they connected for a 68-yard touchdown pass down the sidelines within the first three minutes of the game. The NFL ...
What should the Oakland Raiders emphasize in the film room leading up to their Week 2 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens?
The simplest yet most complicated way to demolish an opponent lies within the trenches. First and foremost, the Raiders must put relentless pressure on quarterback Joe Flacco. How should defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. approach this plan of attack?
Attacking Joe Flacco
For starters, Norton must use a more aggressive attack. Last time out, the Raiders defense only blitzed three times, per Pro Football Focus. The end result didn’t create a chaotic situation for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.
In Week 2, Norton ...
Bernard Pollard has played for four teams in nine NFL seasons, but after the offseason passed without the veteran safety finding a new home, injuries may have opened the door for him to make a return.
Continue for updates.
Raiders Work Out Pollard
Friday, Sept. 18
According to ESPN.com's Field Yates, the Oakland Raiders worked out Pollard on Friday as they seek help in the secondary.
The 30-year-old Pollard was a productive player as recently as 2013, ranking as the 21st-best safety out of 86 qualifiers by Pro Football Focus (h/t Zach Links of ProFootballRumors.com).
Oakland's 33-13 loss against Cincinnati in Week 1 was a disaster on multiple ...
It’s time to view the Oakland Raiders' Week 2 matchup from a bold perspective. What will transpire on the field between two teams that struggled offensively last week?
Will quarterback Derek Carr surgically dissect the Baltimore Ravens defense? Can cornerback D.J. Hayden finally get his head around for a pick-six? Will the Raiders defense shut down the Ravens offense?
Every week, there’s something you can point to and say, “Wow, didn’t see that coming.”
The following bold predictions are made based on factual background to prove the unthinkable. In the NFL, take nothing for granted. That’s why they play the games.Begin Slideshow
This past weekend, the Oakland Raiders picked up free-agent outside linebacker Aldon Smith, and Chris Simms was in the Bay Area at the time preparing to call the Raiders' matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
What did Simms notice around the franchise when Smith signed? Do the Raiders have a system in place around the former San Francisco 49er to allow him to succeed?
Watch as Adam Lefkoe and Bleacher Report NFL Analyst Simms discuss the newest Raider in Episode 30 of the Simms & Lefkoe Podcast in the video above.Read more Oakland Raiders news on BleacherReport.com
The Oakland Raiders officially turned the page on their Week 1 loss with Wednesday’s practice and preparation for the Baltimore Ravens.
Head coach Jack Del Rio spoke to the media after Wednesday’s practice with a calm demeanor. He answered questions with straightforward answers and cracked a few smiles in the process of addressing his team as he set his sights on the Ravens.
The temperament from the fanbase ranges from panic to a numb, apathetic feeling thanks to more than a decade of losing. However, this Raiders team won’t carry the burden of the past into this brand-new season.
Del Rio didn’t say ...