Derek Carr makes strong case to start for Raiders

If you wanted a quarterback controversy in Oakland, Derek Carr just gave you one. He started the Raiders final preseason game Thursday night and made a statement. And that statement was loud and clear - he should be given a shot to start the season.

While Matt Schaub stood on the sideline with elbow soreness, just as Matt Flynn did last year when he lost his starting job, Carr lit up the Seahawks.

He took his opening possession and drove for the touchdown. The Raiders methodically moved 68 yards on 12 play finished off with a 5-yard touchdown run by Latavius Murray. Carr went 5 for 7 for 41 yards on the drive and the Raiders tied the game 7-7.

The Seahawks would fumble the ensuing kick return and on one play, Derek Carr would hit Denarius Moore for the 36-yard touchdown.

The Raiders were set up in scoring position again on the ensuing drive thanks to a 44-yard punt return by TJ Carrie. And Once again, on one play the Raiders scored the touchdown. This time it was Mychal Rivera making a correction in midair off a ball tipped downfield to pull in the 36-yard TD pass from Carr.

On the next possession, Carr showed he didn't need a short field to score. He drove the Raiders 61 yards for the touchdown. It was highlighted by a 27-yard connection between Carr and Mychal Rivera and finished off with a perfect pass to the sideline in the endzone where only Denarius Moore could get it to take the 28-7 lead.

And with that, and 13:49 remaining in the game, Carr's day was done. He was replaced by Matt McGloin.

It was a near perfect performance for Carr. Seriously, he had a passer rating of 152.1. A perfect passer rating is 158.3. He went 11 for 14 for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

This will give Dennis Allen a lot to think about in the next day or so. Does he stick with Matt Schaub as he has all off-season, and just as he did with Matt Flynn? Or does he give the ball to the hot hand in Carr who just so happens to be their future at the quarterback position?

It's a tough decision. We should know where he is leaning soon. But ladies and gents, once again, we have a quarterback controversy in Oakland.

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