RADIO
With the exception of Philip Rivers and Drew Brees, Derek Carr has been one of the NFL’s hottest quarterbacks. You read that right. The Oakland Raiders have found something special in Carr, and he’s been on an absolute tear since the Raiders returned from their bye week.
Carr has thrown for 923 yards and 10 touchdowns over his last three games, averaging more than 26 fantasy points per game in standard scoring leagues. With a healthy offensive line, an arsenal of targets at his disposal, and a running game to help ease the pressure, Carr has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL, and the Raiders are seeing that pay off on the scoreboard.
This week, Carr and the Raiders will matchup against the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings and their stellar defense, but that shouldn’t worry the Raiders one bit. Just two weeks ago, Carr dismantled the vaunted New York Jets defense for 333 yards and four touchdowns for 29 fantasy points. This matchup shouldn’t be any different.
Minnesota is allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, according to ESPN, but Rivers was the only quality quarterback the Vikings have faced this year. Carr has been red-hot for the Raiders this year, and a win on Sunday would put Oakland back in a playoff spot.
On the receiving end of a few of those Carr passes will be Michael Crabtree, arguably the best free agent signing over the NFL offseason. Like Carr and the rest of the Raiders, Crabtree has been unstoppable since they returned from their bye week. Crabtree has caught at least six passes in each of his last three games, including the last two games where he totaled more than 100 yards receiving in each of them.
Crabtree has also found the end zone four times over those three games, and he’s averaged 17 fantasy points per game in that span. Amari Cooper is getting the attention of opposing defensive backs, and with good reason, but Crabtree has quietly become Oakland’s top receiver this year.
Crabtree is on pace for more than 1,250 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. No reason to think he won’t continue his tear against the Vikings.
