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NFL Week 14 reactions: Justin Herbert-Tua Tagovailoa debate officially over

By Logan Lazarczyk

Dec 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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We are starting to finally see the playoff picture take shape after Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season. The hunt for wild card spots and division titles is starting to heat up. There were many teams who missed opportunities to control their own destiny, while a few surprise teams entered the postseason discussion. Week 14 offered a lot of hypothetical situations for future weeks.

Let’s take a look at the week that was in the NFL and our biggest takeaways.

NFL
Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) gestures as he runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

NFL Week 14: It is time for the Raiders to move on from Derek Carr

Thursday marked the fourth time this season that the Raiders have blown a double-digit halftime lead.

This may have been the worst one yet, as Las Vegas was facing a depleted Rams team with a quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who had landed in Los Angeles two days prior to kickoff. Mayfield had 48 hours to learn a playbook, adjustments at the line of scrimmage, audibles, and cadences.

The Raiders led 16-3 late in the fourth quarter, giving up two touchdowns in the final minutes, including a 98-yard drive.

Nonetheless, the Raiders have simply gotten all they can out of Derek Carr. In addition to completing 11 of 20 pass attempts for a measly 120 yards, Carr also threw one of the dumbest red zone interceptions I have seen. The interception came right before halftime with the Raiders up 13-3. Ultimately taking points off the board.

The 31-year-old quarterback has come up short time and time again, and with quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in their own division, it is time for the Raiders to consider moving off Carr this offseason. Carr would definitely have a trade market, as teams are desperate for competent quarterback play. Some teams that come to mind are the Giants, Colts, potentially the Jets, Commanders, and Saints.

This past offseason, Las Vegas gave Carr a three-year, $121.5 million contract, averaging a little over $40 million per season. However, the way the contract is structured just shows how unsure the Raiders’ front office was about committing to Carr. Because of how Las Vegas structured the contract, the Raiders can easily get out this offseason.

Carr is owed $34 million in 2023, but none of that money is guaranteed. In fact, the Raiders would save $29 million, while eating $5 million in dead cap by moving Carr before June 1. Moving off Carr after June 1 would save Las Vegas even more money, as they would only eat $1 million in dead cap, and free up $33 million in cap space.

The Raiders already have $35 million in cap space heading into this offseason, and with Josh Jacobs having a career year, the Raiders could look to retain the 24-year-old running back if they feel he is worth paying.

The one interesting component to all of this is Davante Adams. The 30-year-old wide receiver came to Las Vegas to play with his college roommate and quarterback. By letting go of that quarterback, would Adams request a trade out of Las Vegas?

Nonetheless, the Raiders have a decision to make this offseason, and Las Vegas is currently slotted into the eighth spot in the 2023 NFL Draft. It would make the decision a whole lot easier if the Raiders are able to grab one of these quarterbacks in the draft.

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