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KC Chiefs: Derek Carr Injury Could Prove Huge for Chiefs

By Leigh Oleszczak

Dec 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is helped off the field during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at the Oakland Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Indianapolis Colts 33-25. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is helped off the field during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at the Oakland Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Indianapolis Colts 33-25. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The KC Chiefs are currently sitting as the fifth seed in the playoff picture, but with a key injury to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr on Saturday, things could become very interesting in week 17.

The Kansas City Chiefs don’t play their week 16 game until Sunday night when they host the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. This game is even bigger than it was 24 hours ago, as the Raiders have likely lost quarterback Derek Carr for the rest of the season to a broken fibula.

While no one wishes for an injury to any player, it’s tough to argue how huge this is for the Kansas City Chiefs marching forward. Should the Chiefs win on Sunday against Denver, they’ll still be a game behind Oakland and will have a chance to win the division in week 17 against the Chargers.

The Raiders will be without Carr moving forward, which means their chances of winning on the road against the Broncos next week will be difficult. Matt McGloin is the backup to Carr and Conner Cook is the third stringer, and neither of those guys instill fear into anyone.

Now, of course, if the Chiefs lose to Denver, then none of this will really matter, as they’d be two games behind the Raiders and would lose out on the division and a first-round bye. So yeah, the hope is to win on Sunday and then win in San Diego in the season finale.

The best case scenario for Kansas City is that they win out and that Oakland loses next week to give the Chiefs the AFC West crown and ultimately – the second seed in the AFC playoffs.

That scenario seemed unlikely before Saturday evening, but Carr is easily the best player on the Raiders’ squad and without him, their chances of winning decrease tremendously.

Even if Oakland earns the two-seed and the Chiefs find themselves having to play there in the postseason, it’s not a scary game. The KC Chiefs swept Oakland this season and haven’t lost to them since 2014. It wasn’t particularly a scary game beforehand, but now with Carr out, it wouldn’t be intimidating in the least bit.

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You could tell this injury was traumatic to Raiders fans because they were all very upset, despite a big win against the Colts on Saturday. Even with a win, Oakland was distraught, as they realize that a deep playoff push is going to be much more difficult without their golden boy at the helm.

Again, I’m not happy about a player being injured, that’s not what this post is about at all. Carr being out though no doubt helps the Kansas City Chiefs and their chances to get the number two seed are still in play as long as they can take care of business against the Broncos on Christmas Day.

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