It's been three days since the loss of Derek Carr, and the shock of his broken fibula is still reverberating throughout Raider Nation. There's no denying No. 4's importance to the Oakland Raiders, as he's led seven fourth quarter comebacks in 2016. Carr's production from the quarterback position has not only put him on the map as an MVP candidate, but has also helped the Silver and Black regain playoff relevancy after 14 years.
With one game left in the regular season, the Raiders can clinch the AFC West for the first time since 2002, and will give it everything they've got when they battle the Denver Broncos on New Year's Day.
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The "Next Man Up" mentality holds true for teams around the league, and with quarterback Matt McGloin stepping in the team is ready to rally and keep pushing toward its goal. Football is clearly a team sport and regardless of whether Carr takes the field, under the leadership of Head Coach Jack Del Rio the Raiders can still accomplish big things.
Heading into Week 17, here are the Oakland Raiders Power Rankings brought to you by NFL Extra Points.
Current Ranking: No. 7
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: Down 4
Analysis: It's unfair that Raiders fans will experience their first postseason without their QB1.
Here's a silver lining: Everything else is clicking for this team. For starters, Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin are turning into quite the quarterback sandwichers. The defensive secondary has held up, too.
But I'm excited about the run game. Menelik Watson is back at right tackle, and the results are noticeable. Indianapolis couldn't stop any Raiders ball-carrier, and it's not just because its defense is bad. It's because this Raiders line is that good.
Looking forward: Matt McGloin can make himself a lot of Bay Area fans this January. Step one: Beat the Broncos and seal up a first-round bye.
Current Ranking: No. 4
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Movement: N/A
Analysis: Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Derek Carr's broken fibula comes in his 12th win of the season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, no quarterback who won 12 games failed to start a playoff game that season. It will be on Matt McGloin to clinch a first-round bye in Week 17 against the Broncos.
Current Ranking: No. 7
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: Down 4
Analysis: No words. No words for how much the Derek Carr news sucks. Carr's season-ending leg injury couldn't have come at a worse time, and it's crushing for a franchise that had created excitement across pro football. Put another way: The NFL is better when the Raiders are better. Carr was (and is) the Roy Hobbs of this football team, often putting everyone on his back -- even with a finger that that looked like a tree branch in a Tim Burton movie. It might have been Christmas, but Oakland's fan base received a stocking full of bricks.
Current Ranking: No. 10
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: Down 7
Analysis: They had to move back a bit in these rankings to reflect Derek Carr's injury. It's one of the more devastating injuries in recent memory when you factor in the Raiders' long playoff drought. Maybe Matt McGloin is Jeff Hostetler, but I doubt it. I'm sorry, Raiders fans.
Current Ranking: No. 6
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Movement: Down 2
Analysis:"I like quarterbacks who don't break their legs," a certain politician possibly would say if commenting on whether Derek Carr is the MVP.
Current Ranking: No. 6
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Movement: Down 2
Analysis: Yeah, the Raiders drop a few spots after a win. It might seem unfair, but looking ahead, they're simply not as threatening without Derek Carr, as unfortunate as that is. They still have playmakers, but relying on Matt McGloin to get them the ball is shaky at best.
Current Ranking: No. 3
Previous Ranking: No. 6
Movement: Down 3
Analysis: Without Derek Carr, they have major issues. They can't win it all with Matt McGloin.
Current Ranking: No. 11
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Movement: Down 8
Analysis: Their future seems as bright as the Las Vegas Strip at midnight. It's just a shame Derek Carr's injury prevents a grand finale in Oakland.
