How the Oakland Raiders can win the AFC West

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 18: Gareon Conley #21 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates an interception in the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 30: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks with head coach Jon Gruden late in the fourth quarter of an NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs on December 30, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Protect QB Derek Carr

A lot has not only been made about the Raiders’ decision to give Trent Brown, who played excellent as the left tackles with New England last season, $17 million per year, especially with the recent news the four-year pro would be playing on the right, opposite 2018 first-round pick Kolton Miller. Miller took his lumps this past season, allowing 15 sacks, but did start all 16 contests

So what does that mean for quarterback Derek Carr? It proved to be a rough 2018 for the five-year pro, despite the fact he completed a personal-best 68.9 percent of his throws and cracked the 4,000-yard passing mark for the first time. But there were nearly as many turnovers (17) as touchdown passes (19). Among the turnovers for Carr were seven lost fumbles (out of a total of 12 fumbles). A big reason is he was sacked a whopping 51 times – quite the beating considering in the previous two seasons combined (20 games), he was sacked only 36 times.

While center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson are back, there’s a bit of a hole at left guard. The team dealt Kelechi Osemele to the New York Jets this offseason. By all indications, Denzelle Good is the frontrunner to take over but he will face some competition in training camp.

The lack of a consistent running game combined with poor pass protection helped make it an even more difficult ’18 for Carr. They will need improvement from all three parties this year if they are to challenge for a playoff spot.

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