NFL 2018: Biggest obstacle each team must overcome

Oakland Raiders: Help Carr return to MVP level of play

Around this time last year heading into training camp, the Oakland Raiders were considered a strong favorite to overtake the Patriots in the AFC as a serious Super Bowl contender after putting an end to their playoff drought the year before. And while the Raiders seemed to be heading in that direction early on after a 2-0 start, everything seemed to go downhill from there since the team would only go on to win four more games over the rest of the season.

Going from a strong favorite to win the Super Bowl to finishing 6-10 resulted in Oakland parting ways with Jack Del Rio as head coach, and as a replacement, the team decided to bring Jon Gruden back for a second stint. Gruden’s history of quarterback development means the Raiders have high expectations for Derek Carr heading into the 2018 season, and if all goes well, maybe he can return to his 2016 form.

That happened to the season in which Carr found his name in the conversation for the MVP award, although it was devastating to see him suffer a leg injury before the playoffs got underway. With Gruden on board along with a new duo to work with Nelson and Amari Cooper, Carr could be in for his best NFL season.