The Tantalizing Ten: Raiders Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts (7-7) head to Oakland to take on the Raiders (11-3) in Week 16?
In leading seven fourth-quarter comebacks this season, Derek Carr is atop several MVP lists. Carr has thrown 25 touchdown and six interceptions in his third year in the NFL. One interesting thing to note on Carr is he's taken snaps exclusively out of the shotgun in recent weeks (even kneel downs) due to a pinky finger injury.
A 161-yard afternoon for the Colts last week gave the offense some tremendous balance. Frank Gore's 101-yard day himself has him in line to reach the 1,000-yard mark. Gore needs 109 yards the last two weeks to become the first 1,000-yard rusher for the Colts since Joseph Addai in 2007.
It's a 10-sack season for Erik Walden in a contract year. Walden is one of several Colts playing at a high level in the final year of their respective deals (Darius Butler, Jack Doyle, Mike Adams, Robert Turbin are too). Walden didn't earn a Pro Bowl nod, but that doesn't diminish the type of season he's had. The Colts need Walden at his peak on Saturday going up against the NFL's toughest quarterbacks to sack.
Some of the shortest practice time in a week all season didn't keep Andrew Luck from having a very solid afternoon against the Vikings. Luck took full advantage of the cleanest pockets he's had all year long. Luck will oppose David Carr this weekend. In 2007, Carr got the better of Luck in a Texas High School Regional matchup.
Let's not forget about the Oakland defense with all those fourth-quarter comebacks. Derek Carr is getting the lead and then Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin often finish it off. Mack is arguably the best defensive end in football. The Colts have to stay ahead of the chains this week if they want to avoid the duo of Mack and Irvin revving things up off the edge.
We saw the playmaking from Mike Adams last week that has been missing from this defense for much of 2016. The three turnovers, two from Adams, came on three straight drives with the Colts already leading 17-0. Turnover margin will again be tested on Saturday with the Raiders raking first in the NFL (plus 15).
The tight ends were really good in last week's win over the Vikings. Without Donte Moncrief, the Colts needed other skill guys to step up. Swoope had three catches on his touchdown drive, the first of his career at any level. It's hard to think of a deeper position on the Colts roster than the tight end group.
A handful of younger guys have emerged here in December for the Colts. Rogers is one of those guys. Not many had Rogers pegged as the undrafted free agent to make the biggest impact in 2016, but he's done that. Rogers' decision making has improved on punt returns and Andrew Luck clearly feels comfortable looking his way in the offense.
When Robert Turbin touches the football good things happen. Turbin has filled his role better than the Colts could have expected in 2016. Whether it's third down, or inside the 10-yard line, Turbin has been extremely productive backing up Frank Gore.
There's no shortage of weapons around Derek Carr. With Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, the Raiders are the only team in the NFL with two receivers having at least 75 grabs this season. The Raiders are really balanced, ranking 6th in the run and in the pass.
