Editor’s note: This is the final part in a series that spotlights three Raiders-49ers matchups to watch Sunday, 1:25 p.m., at O.co Coliseum
Raiders QB Derek Carr vs. 49ers FS Eric Reid
Tale of the tape:
Carr (4): 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, rookie season, Fresno State
Reid (35): 6-foot-1, 213 pounds, second season, Louisiana State
The Raiders have struggled to produce without Derek Carr throwing the football. They cannot run at all, leaving Carr to carry the torch for a lackluster offense. They rely on him to produce, which makes him throw ill-advised passes. Something he can’t do against the 49ers.
Possession is key for a quarterback who values completions above all else. Carr hates takeaways, and hopes running back Latavius Murray will give this offense a well-needed jolt.
[BAIR/MAIOCCO: Which QB has a brighter future: Kaepernick or Carr?]
Interim coach Tony Sparano said, "Offensively, we have to stay on the field and we’ve got to create more first downs on first and second down in this ball game here and when we get our third downs, we’ve got to convert."
Eric Reid poses a threat to the Raiders' offense. He is a smart guy that can defend a young quarterback who doesn’t know any better.
If the rookie quarterback can get his offense going, and keep Reid baffled, they stand a fighting chance. If not, the Raiders are doomed.
