Quarterback Derek Carr has started all 29 games since the Raiders picked him in the second round of the NFL draft in 2014. Credit: Jack Dempsey

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Green Bay — Since the Green Bay Packers' return to contention in the early 1990s, they've played the Oakland Raiders only five times.

The Packers have won all five of the games, and only the 1999 meeting was competitive. The point differential has been plus-25.4, the yardage differential has been plus-137.8 and the turnover differential has been plus-9.

Probably the biggest reason why four of the games were routs has been the play of the quarterbacks. While Brett Favre (four games) and Aaron Rodgers (one) were combining for a passer rating of 105.7, the nine quarterbacks that played for the Raiders checked in at 48.1.

Starting the five games for Oakland were Jeff Hostetler (1993), Rich Gannon ('99), Rick Mirer ('03), Josh McCown ('07) and Carson Palmer ('11). Also playing were Vince Evans, Rob Johnson, Tee Martin and Andrew Walter.

For the first time since Kenny Stabler, the Raiders have a young quarterback to believe in. The Packers will get their first look at Derek Carr on Sunday as a three-point favorite at O.com Coliseum.

"Carr's a lot better than the guys they've had," an assistant coach on defense for a recent Raiders opponent said. "We really thought Carr was coming on. He's a pretty damn good quarterback."

Selected behind Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater in 2014, Carr (the 36th pick) has started all 29 games. The Raiders (6-7) overcame a 12-0 deficit Sunday in Denver to win, 15-12, although Carr passed for merely 135 yards.

"He's been in sort of a slump the last couple weeks," one personnel man said. "You go through that, I think, as a young player. But he's capable of scoring 35 points or having a stinker like last week."

The Raiders haven't had a winning season since they went 11-5 in 2002 and played in the Super Bowl. Since Tom Flores won a pair of Super Bowls from 1979-'87, the franchise has cycled through 13 coaches.

General Manager Reggie McKenzie, a longtime Packers' personnel director, hired Jack Del Rio in January.

"I think they're a very physical team," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said in mid-November before a 30-14 victory in Oakland. "They're a tough-minded team. I think that's part of what Jack Del Rio is trying to preach to them.

"I wouldn't say we're intimidated, but they are a very aggressive football team, yes."

This week, a combination of five scouts and assistants all picked Green Bay to win. The scores were 24-23, 20-17, 31-21, 23-13 and 24-21.

"It's a solid offense and a good defense," said one scout. "They play the run strong and they'll get after the Packers.

"At the end of the day, the Packers have a better quarterback."

OFFENSE

Scheme

Bill Musgrave, a coordinator for the Eagles, Panthers, Jaguars and Vikings, rejoined coach Jack Del Rio to call plays this year. He has an extensive playbook that can confuse defenses. He likes empty sets and getting the ball out fast. He often uses two RBs and two TEs. His preference with Oakland is to pound the ball, but the run rate has dipped to 37.5% because the ground game has been so futile (67.2, 2.9) the last five weeks. The Raiders rank 15th in points (23.0), tied for 17th in giveaways (20) and 20th in yards (344.5).

Receivers

Last year, James Jones led the unit in catches (73) and snaps (720). This year, it's former 49er Michael Crabtree (70, 642) and rookie Amari Cooper (62, 764) leading the charge. Crabtree (6-1½, 215) has resurrected his career after two down seasons; last week, he signed a four-year extension ($16.5 million guaranteed). Crabtree, 28, runs tremendous routes and attacks the ball with sure, strong hands. Cooper (6-1, 210) not only runs 4.35 but already is a master of the double move. He is remarkably polished for age 21. Andre Holmes (6-4½, 210) and Rod Streater (6-2, 195) combined for 36 starts from 2012-'14 but can hardly get on the field because Seth Roberts (6-1½, 195), a second-year free agent from West Alabama, has been so impressive. He has 4.46 speed, good hands and five TDs. TE has become a weapon with the rise of rookie Clive Walford (6-4, 250), a third-round pick. A hamstring injury wiped out Walford's training camp, but in the last month he has been using his 4.75 speed to make tough catches deep down the seam. Mychal Rivera (6-3½, 245) isn't a blocker but has 123 catches in three seasons. Former Bill Lee Smith (6-5½, 265) can't run at all but is a rugged, nasty blocker.

Offensive line

The Raiders are in good shape with LG Gabe Jackson (6-3, 335), C Rodney Hudson (6-2½, 300) and LT Donald Penn (6-4, 315). Jackson, a third-round pick in '14, is no better than an average athlete (5.51 speed). However, he's sound in protection and can get movement for the run. Musgrave features Jackson's pulling ability. Hudson was given $20M guaranteed to depart Kansas City in March. Size hurts him in certain matchups, but he's an excellent technician with good feet, strength and intelligence. Penn started at LT for Tampa Bay from 2006-'13 before arriving in Oakland for $4.2M guaranteed. He's one of those bad-body guys that plays substantially better than he looks. It's possible the Raiders lost their best blocker when RT Menelik Watson blew out his Achilles in August. Thus, RG Austin Howard (6-7½, 330), a former Jet, moved to RT and former Bear-Viking LT J'Marcus Webb (6-7½, 330) became the starter at RG. Howard and Webb are like having "two houses" on that side, according to one assistant. Other than size, they have few redeeming qualities. If Howard (knee) can't play, Khalif Barnes (6-5½, 320) would make the 121st start of an 11-year career. He's near the end.

Quarterbacks

Derek Carr (6-2½, 215) ranks 10th in passer rating (96.5), vast improvement from a 30th-place finish as a rookie (76.6). He has a rapid release, outstanding arm strength, the speed (4.69) to run or avoid and a soft touch. His scores on the Wonderlic intelligence test were 20 and 23. He needs to take better care of the ball in the pocket and react better to blitzes up the middle. Matt McGloin (6-1, 210) went 1-5 as a starter in '13 (76.1 rating).

Running backs

Latavius Murray (6-2½, 230), a sixth-round pick in '13, has hit the skids the last five games (49.6, 2.99). Even taller than James Starks, one scout said he was faster (4.39) but not as physical as the Packer. He does have very good hands and doesn't back off against the blitz. He's a bit of a long strider with a fumbling issue. Jamize Olawale (6-1, 240) and Marcel Reece (6-1, 250) also play. Olawale is a terrific talent and a better blocker than Reece, who has been a useful receiver-rusher since '10.

DEFENSE

Scheme

Ken Norton, the LB coach in Seattle from 2010-'14, is a first-time coordinator. His play sheet blends ideas from coach Jack Del Rio and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Based on the foe, Norton employs both 4-3 "under" and 3-4 looks. Norton seems to prefer man coverage. The Raiders rank 13th in takeaways (20), tied for 23rd in points (25.1) and 25th in yards (372.5).

Defensive line

RE Mario Edwards (6-2½, 280), a second-round (No. 35) pick, is winning with size and athleticism in a strong rookie season. On passing downs, he moves inside and might be the team's second best rusher. LE Denico Autry (6-4½, 280) agreed to a free-agent deal with Green Bay shortly after the '14 draft but apparently failed his physical before signing with Oakland a few days later. Autry is slow (5.07), but with long arms (345/8 inches), gigantic hands (115/8 inches) and a relentless approach he has impressed. NT Justin Ellis (6-1½, 335), a fourth-round pick in '14, provides ballast. Three-technique Dan Williams (6-2, 330), a big-money ($15.2M guaranteed) signee from Arizona in March, is lighter on his feet than Ellis but basically fills the same run-stopping role. Talented DT Leon Orr (6-5, 320), a rookie free agent, debuted Sunday from the practice squad and made the most of 26 snaps. DE Benson Mayowa (6-3, 240) is OK outside in sub. DE Shelby Harris (6-1½, 290), who played at Homestead and briefly for the Badgers, has been on the 53 since Nov. 19 but hasn't played.

Linebackers

SLB Khalil Mack (6-2½, 255) was compared by one scout to Kansas City's Justin Houston. Another said he was like a young Clay Matthews. The NFL's leader in sacks (14), he uses power and speed (4.57), a disciplined approach and big energy for a complete game. He shows first-step quickness, explosive bull rush and exceptional instincts. His vertical jump was 40 inches. MLB Curtis Lofton (6-0, 245), a highly productive starter for the Falcons and Saints from 2008-'14, signed in March for $10M guaranteed to provide stability. He's a great tackler and heavy hitter, but his role has been reduced because a decline in speed leaves him vulnerable against the pass. Former Seahawk WLB Malcolm Smith (6-0, 225) plays every down, has the speed to walk out in coverage and is adequate. Replacing Lofton in nickel for about a month has been rookie Ben Heeney (6-0, 230), a fifth-round pick. He's a gung-ho type with 4.58 speed, a nose for the ball and enough smarts and athleticism to start at some point.

Secondary

Starters David Amerson (6-1, 205) and TJ Carrie (5-11½, 205), nickel back Neiko Thorpe (6-1, 200) and dime back DJ Hayden (5-11, 190) share the cornerbacks' common bond of size and physicality. Denver's receivers dropped passes Sunday after being bodied by the Raiders all afternoon. Amerson, the Redskins' second-round pick in '13, fell out of favor with the new regime after two years as a starter and was cut Sept. 21. Since being claimed, he has been the best cover man in Oakland. He runs 4.42 and is a ballhawk, but in the past has taken excessive risk. Carrie, a seventh-round pick in '14, looks the part with 4.49 speed and a 41-inch vertical. He and Thorpe, a free agent in '12 with 4.45 speed, are competitive players. Hayden has terrific ability but seems to lack confidence and resorts to holding and grabbing. Former Packer SS Charles Woodson (6-1, 210) tries to hold the group together as he plays through a shoulder injury that has affected his tackling. With former Eagle FS Nate Allen (6-0½, 210) iffy (knee), it'll probably be well-traveled Taylor Mays (6-3, 235) deep in base and possibly Carrie in sub. Mays hits but is a liability in coverage.

SPECIAL TEAMS

P Marquette King is outstanding. K Sebastian Janikowski, 37, is starting to slip. Long snapper is up in the air because Jon Condo suffered a dislocated shoulder Sunday. Former Packer-Lion-Raven Jeremy Ross was added to the roster Nov. 25 and was the dual returner for Games 11-13. RB Taiwan Jones is the top performer for first-year coach Brad Seely.

GAME-BREAKER

When it came time for Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie to exercise the fourth selection in the 2015 draft, among the players on the board were DT Leonard Williams, WR Kevin White and RB Todd Gurley. McKenzie went with WR Amari Cooper. With 920 yards, he's set to become the team's first 1,000-yard receiver since Randy Moss (1,005) in 2005; Minnesota's Stefon Diggs (638) ranks second in yards among rookies. Of the Raiders' 12 longest receptions, Cooper has six. On Sunday in Denver, he was shut out despite being targeted eight times.

WEAKEST LINK

CB David Amerson, the best cover man, started the season in Washington before being cut and claimed on waivers Sept. 22. The fact Amerson became a starter Oct. 4 speaks volumes about the group of cornerbacks that he joined. Oft-injured DJ Hayden, the 12th player selected in 2013, started the first 10 games before being benched in favor of TJ Carrie. Amerson leads the club in passes defensed with 20, or 10 more than the runner-up, Carrie. Oakland ranks 28th in passing yards allowed (271.5).

McGINN'S VIEW

When the Packers played in Denver on Nov. 1, the Broncos started the same five offensive linemen as they did Sunday against the Raiders at Sports Authority Field.

The Packers' pass rush could hardly have been any less effective against what was regarded by scouts as the Broncos's suspect offensive line. Green Bay had no sacks, three knockdowns and one hurry in its 29-10 defeat.

Oakland upset Denver, 15-12, largely because of its one-man pass rush. OLB Khalil Mack had seven of the team's eight quarterback hits, and five were sacks.

Four of the sacks came when Mack beat RT Michael Schofield playing left end in a nickel defense. The fifth came when he switched sides and beat LT Ryan Harris.

On the first, Mack dipped under Schofield and sacked Brock Osweiler in 2.6 seconds.

On the second, he slipped past Schofield off the edge and sacked Osweiler in 3.3. He fumbled, and the ball was recovered by Denver for a safety.

On the third, he worked up the field against Schofield, knocked him off-balance with a right-handed shove to the upper chest and sacked Osweiler in 2.8.

On the fourth, the Broncos positioned a running back just outside Harris to chip on Mack. Instead, Mack surprised Harris with a bull rush that deposited him on his back and led to a sack in 2.6.

On the fifth, the Raiders rushed only three so RG Louis Vasquez slid toward Schofield to deny Mack the inside. This time, Mack raced wide of Schofield and registered the sack in 3.3.

Mack tied the team record of five sacks set by Howie Long in 1983. He also became the first player to get five sacks and one forced fumble in a game since the 49ers' Aldon Smith in 2012.

Mack, the fifth player selected in 2014, leads the NFL in sacks with 14, one-half more than Detroit's Ziggy Ansah and Houston's J.J. Watt.

Even though Mack played in the Mid-American Conference for Buffalo, most scouts loved him. They voted him the best outside linebacker for a 3-4 defense in that draft ahead of Jadeveon Clowney.

The Texans, who made Clowney the first pick two years ago, would surely take Mack hands-down (or Odell Beckham) if they could do it over again.