ALAMEDA – The Raiders are honed in on Sunday's game against Denver, and rightfully so. A victory Sunday will clinch the AFC West, the team's primary goal this season.
That opportunity deserves intense focus. That will happen, but it hasn't been easy less than a week removed from the loss of quarterback Derek Carr. He suffered a broken fibula that required surgery to repair, an injury that's expected to sideline Carr during the Raiders' postseason run.
That cut is still fresh.
Carr's injury has dominated headlines this week, and sent Raiders fans into a mourning period after losing an MVP candidate with seven fourth-quarter comebacks to his credit.
It has impacted the entire Raiders locker room, especially star edge rusher Khalil Mack. Carr is Mack's "friend, my Day 1 homie, my draft homie, my off-the-field homie," so it's obviously disappointing to carry on without his quarterback and fellow team leader.
Mack says the Raiders are going to keep pushing and keep winning for Carr.
"It's a big hit for all of us, but knowing the type of person he is and knowing the people in this organization and in this locker room, we're going to make a big push for him. That's what it's all about right now. He will support (backup Matt McGloin). He will still support us vocally and gives us great energy whenever he's around. It's the situation we're in, and we're going to keep moving forward. We have to."
Sports
The Raiders have done that this week, heading into the regular season finale.
"The focus is on Denver," Mack said. "Everybody's excited to play this football game. That's all you can really ask for."
