5 Takeaways From Week 14 in the NFL

Steelers

Battle by the Bay: An Audition of Sorts?

Derek Carr threw for three touchdowns as the Raiders notched their second win of the year, a 24-13 defeat of visiting San Francisco Sunday afternoon. And perhaps the rookie signal-caller and Co. put on an audition for their future head coach.

Carr outplayed Colin Kaepernick, who continues to regress in his third season under center for San Francisco. The 49ers’ offense has been anemic over the past two months, scoring 17 points or fewer in six of their last seven games, which not surprisingly has coincided with a 3-4 record and the slow departure from the NFC playoff picture.

Harbaugh has been linked to Oakland, the Jets and the University of Michigan openings (and upcoming openings), and many expect the Niners’ head coach to remain in the Bay Area. Tony Sparano is the Raiders’ interim coach, but many believe the organization will not put their faith in him beyond 2014. Maybe the Raiders showed enough in that head-to-head meeting to convince Harbaugh to switch allegiances.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.