Raiders’ competitive spirit shows a transformation is afoot

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The Raiders are finishing strong. They haven’t quit. And for anyone who has watched the Raiders over this sad stretch of losing years, those two qualities are pretty astonishing.

“We are trying to change the culture,” quarterback Derek Carr said. “And we are changing the culture. We know if we keep fighting and working hard, it’s going to get there.”

Which means, rather than opt for huge changes in the offseason, maybe owner Mark Davis simply should retain the status quo?

The Raiders closed out their home season Sunday with their third win at the Coliseum, a 26-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Every team the Raiders have beaten this year has had a winning record and playoff aspirations at the time of the game.

The Raiders have won three of their past five games after an 0-10 start. If Denver decides to rest some players Sunday, the Raiders could get their fourth victory, finishing with four wins in their final six games.

The team has young talent at key positions. And it also has shown life and energy, which is impressive.

Oakland Raiders' Marcel Reese hurdles Buffalo Bills' Corey Graham in 2nd quarter during NFL game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, December 21, 2014. Oakland Raiders' Marcel Reese hurdles Buffalo Bills' Corey Graham in 2nd quarter during NFL game at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, December 21, 2014. Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Raiders’ competitive spirit shows a transformation is afoot 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

On Saturday night, interim head coach Tony Sparano told the Raiders their character would be tested in Sunday’s game. In truth, the Raiders’ character has been tested all season. How do you keep competing after an 0-10 start?

“The guys continue to come out fighting, when it would be very easy to do the opposite,” said Charles Woodson, a 17-year veteran. “This team has never really gotten down to the point where we were ready to give up.”

Sparano is 3-8 since replacing winless Dennis Allen. Does Sparano think he should be considered for the full-time job?

“Yes,” he said.

Does he deserve it?

“It’s not for me to decide that,” he said.

Sparano, who has the support and praise of many members of the team, has one year remaining on his contract; he’s the only coach on the Raiders’ staff whose contract extends beyond this year. Davis might look at that situation, weigh the value of continuing what has been started this year, against the cost of both buying out Sparano and spending $8 million a year on a sexy hire such as Jim Harbaugh.

Would that be a mistake? Like the 49ers hiring Mike Singletary after he led them to a 5-4 record as an interim head coach?

The difference is Sparano has 16 years in the NFL and has been a head coach before; he oversaw a remarkable turnaround in his first year as head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2008.

More status quo: Many expect Davis to retain general manager Reggie McKenzie. McKenzie has made many poor decisions, particularly in regard to free agency and acquiring quarterbacks, but he has proved that he does, in fact, know how to pick talent in the draft. If Davis keeps McKenzie, would a high-powered new head coach want to work for him?

And even more status quo: As The Chronicle reported Sunday, the Raiders are expected to sign a lease to play one more year at the Coliseum. The scene Sunday proved how obvious a decision that is: a two-win team had the benefit of fans rocking the place, which was sold out.

“They make you want to go out and fight,” linebacker Khalil Mack said. “That crowd, it’s crazy man.”

Mack is also crazy, as in crazy good. He had five tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and three quarterback hits. He was double-teamed much of the day, but still made an impact. Sure. Mack was considered a can’t-miss prospect, but McKenzie still gets credit for drafting him.

And for drafting Carr. Raiders fans are thrilled to finally have their quarterback of the future. Carr might end up being the best homegrown Raiders quarterback since Ken Stabler, who was drafted in the second round in 1968. We’re obviously not comparing the rookie to the Snake, but the Raiders have a long history of whiffing on drafting quarterbacks, succeeding only with reclaimed 30-year-olds like Jim Plunkett and Rich Gannon.

Carr is the real deal, and even the fans realize it. An indication of their love for Carr came in the third quarter. Carr fumbled the snap and fell on it, and a Buffalo defender fell on him. Carr was shaken and had to come off the field, and Matt Schaub got ready to go into the game. As soon as Raiders fans saw Schaub, they started booing. Loudly.

It should be pointed out that Schaub hasn’t taken a snap in Oakland since the preseason. And that he really hasn’t done anything wrong, unless you count signing the contract that McKenzie offered him.

The Raiders called a timeout, saving Schaub from the embarrassment of being booed at home. Carr went back in the game and the fans erupted with joy that their young man was back behind center. By the end of the game, the crowd was ecstatic.

The Raiders have a lot of pieces in place. Instead of simply being a laughingstock, the team seems to be figuring out how to play together and win.

“Coach said, 'Leave this game with the crowd wanting more,’” Woodson said. “That’s what we tried to do today.”

The question is, do they want more of the same? Because they just might get it.

Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. E-mail: akillion@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annkillion