DENVER, CO – JANUARY 1: Quarterback Connor Cook #8 of the Oakland Raiders throws in the second quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

After Derek Carr suffered a broken leg on Christmas weekend, the AFC West leader Oakland Raiders were dealt a major blow on a potential Super Bowl run.

After being destroyed 24-6 by the Denver Broncos in Week 17, backup quarterback Matt McGloin went 6 for 11 for 21 passing yards before he suffered a shoulder injury and was replaced by third string QB Connor Cook.

While Cook fared better than McGloin, the Raiders were still defeated and lost the AFC West to the Kansas City Chiefs, forcing the Raiders to not only lose the division but the first round bye. Now that the Raiders are playing the Houston Texans this weekend and Cook is starting over McGloin, this may be the Raiders’ best strategy to at least defeat the Texans.

Obviously, the Raiders would love to have had Carr but they’re stuck with Cook. Even if McGloin wasn’t injured, the Raiders were better off with Cook. For one thing, McGloin always seemed to have potential but hadn’t really fulfilled that potential. even in his fourth year at Oakland.

In addition, Texans coach Bill O’Brien coached McGloin at Penn State. So if he hadn’t gotten hurt, McGloin would have had to play in his first playoff game with a coach who knows all about him from college. Yeah, probably best to play Cook in that situation.

Don’t get me wrong, even if the Raiders win, they’re probably going to lose horribly by either the Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots the next week. But looking at the Texans, and their issues having to play Brock Osweiler after benching him for Tom Savage and Savage is now out with a concussion, the Raiders have a chance.

[Pro Football Talk]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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