The Oakland Raiders on Saturday held on for a 33-25 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, but the win came at a huge cost.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who threw three touchdown passes, left the game in the fourth quarter after breaking his right fibula on a sack by Colts linebacker Trent Cole.
Carr was carted to the locker room as backup Matt McGloin took over with the Raiders leading 33-14.
Photo: AFP
His injury occurred only hours after another quarterback, Marcus Mariota of the Tennessee Titans, also incurred a fractured fibula.
“It was a good win, but a tough setback to have our quarterback go down like that,” Del Rio said. “Unfortunate. It’s obviously is a blow. Teams have to find a way to pick up and move on. We’ll rally around the next guy as best we can.”
“Everybody heals differently. We’ll see exactly what needs to be done when they get in there and do it... I think he’s going to be down a little while,” he added.
Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY
The Raiders (12-3), who clinched a playoff spot last week for the first time since 2002, moved one-and-a-half games ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) in the AFC West.
The Colts (7-8) were eliminated from playoff contention and will miss the post-season for the second straight season.
“You work hard all year for opportunities like this, to be able to get to the dance and see what happens after that, but to not be in it this year is definitely disappointing, and it hurts,” Colts running back Robert Turbin said. “But that’s the league. That’s life. It’s hard.”
Carr, an NFL Most Valuable Player contender, completed 20 of 30 passes for 228 yards. He has thrown for 3,933 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions this season.
McGloin completed two of three passes for 29 yards, including a 19-yard throw to wide receiver Amari Cooper to ice the victory.
“It’s a difficult situation because first and foremost, he’s a very good friend of mine,” McGloin said. “It’s tough to see him go down and him get hurt in a situation like that. He’s been having such an incredible season for himself, and to see him go down like that was tough, but at the same time I did my best to try to stay calm, stay focused and do my job out there.”
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck completed 19 of 29 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.
Frank Gore rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries, and T.Y. Hilton caught four passes for 105 yards.
“Obviously, we’re all very disappointed,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “We had numerous opportunities and numerous chances. It’s hard. Football’s hard.”
PATRIOTS 41, JETS 3
In Foxborough, Massachusetts, Tom Brady passed for 214 yards and three touchdowns as the Patriots moved a step closer to securing home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
Malcolm Butler added two interceptions and a fumble recovery, while LeGarrette Blount had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs.
New England (13-2) took advantage of New York miscues all day, scoring on three of their first four possessions.
The Jets (4-11), who have lost six of seven, had four turnovers.
The only really good piece of news for the Jets came before the game, when Todd Bowles rejoined the team and coached from the sideline a day after a medical scare sent him to the hospital.
TEXANS 12, BENGALS 10
In Houston, Texas, Tom Savage threw for 176 yards for Houston in his first career start and Cincinnati missed a field goal as time expired, giving the Texans their second straight AFC South title.
The Bengals converted a fourth-down play to keep a drive alive, but four plays later, former Texan Randy Bullock’s 43-yard attempt sailed wide right to secure Houston’s victory.
Savage last week helped the Texans (9-6) rally for a win over the Jaguars after taking over when Brock Osweiler was benched after throwing interceptions on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter.
Cincinnati (6-8-1) regained the lead when Dalton found Brandon LaFell on a short pass and he took it 86 yards for a touchdown that made it 10-6 with about 11 minutes left.
Alfred Blue’s 24-yard touchdown run put the Texans back on top with about nine minutes left, but the extra point was blocked.
CARDINALS 34, SEAHAWKS 31
In Seattle, the Arizona Cardinals continued to give the Seattle Seahawks headaches at home. This time, it will likely end up costing Seattle a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Chandler Catanzaro hit a 43-yard field goal on the final play.
Seattle (9-5-1) rallied from a 31-18 deficit, scoring two touchdowns inside the final three minutes to pull even at 31.
Jimmy Graham had a 37-yard touchdown catch and Paul Richardson’s 5-yard touchdown with 1 minute, 6 seconds left tied it. Steven Hauschka missed the extra point that could have given Seattle the lead.
Arizona (6-8-1) went 50 yards in the final minute and Catanzaro’s kick was good, delivering a huge blow to Seattle’s chances at the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
It was the Seahawks’ first home loss this season; all NFL teams have now been beaten in a home game.
In other results, it was:
‧ Falcons 33, Panthers 16
‧ Saints 31, Buccaneers 24
‧ Packers 38, Vikings 25
‧ Redskins 41, Bears 21
‧ 49ers 22, Rams 21
‧ Jaguars 38, Titans 17
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