Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Week 5 sees 49ers stay low, a new team at No. 1

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after overtime of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona won 18-15. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers shake hands after overtime of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona won 18-15. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders tries to avoid a tackle by defensive end Shelby Harris #96 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Carr left the game with an injury after the play. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders tries to avoid a tackle by defensive end Shelby Harris #96 of the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Carr left the game with an injury after the play. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

team. 28. . 2-2. . Oakland Raiders. 14

Things couldn’t get much worse for Oakland Raiders fans.

Well, they could, even after falling 16-10 against their AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos. The key news here, of course, is the injury suffered by star quarterback Derek Carr, who was pulled after taking a nasty hit to his back.

The latest, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, has Carr out two to four weeks:

On one hand, this doesn’t derail the season. Carr should be able to return in plenty of time to keep Oakland in contention for a playoff berth.

But the loss could easily mean the Raiders have little chance to secure a division title this season — rough, considering the expectation level many had for the silver and black.

In the meantime, backup quarterback E.J. Manuel will hold the line as best as he can. If the Raiders finally get veteran running back Marshawn Lynch going, the offense might be OK. But Lynch hasn’t been effective thus far, and Oakland’s defense remains a liability.

It’s not panic mode yet, Raiders fans. Yet the situation is pretty bleak.