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ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Derek Carrs comfort level in changing plays at the line of scrimmage is a part of his game that has gone largely unnoticed while the Raiders worked their way into a tie for first in the AFC West.Its something that Carr is doing with more frequency and with more success -- like on his fourth-down touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree that put Oakland ahead to stay in its 34-31 win over the San Diego Chargers last week.Thats the way I love to play, Carr said Wednesday. I love having a lot put on my back. Any quarterback does. (Offensive coordinator Bill) Musgrave talks to me about his time with Matt Ryan, how he loved that and how were similar in that way. We just love that kind of stuff. I absolutely love it.Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said its just part of the natural progression for his third-year quarterback, who had a tremendous first month of the season while helping guide Oakland to its best start in more than a decade.Through five games, Carr has 11 touchdown passes with just two interceptions to go with a 102.3 rating and 66.8 completion percentage -- the latter two numbers being career-highs. The former second-round draft pick has also led the Raiders on seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime during his brief NFL career, including twice already this season.Thats helped propel Oakland to a 4-1 start and a share of first place in the AFC West with defending Super Bowl champion Denver.While Carr certainly isnt at the level of autonomy that Peyton Manning had when he called every play at the line for the Colts and Broncos, his freedom to alter the calls coming in have added another layer to Oaklands fifth-ranked offense.Del Rio said allowing Carr to do more was something he and his coaching staff discussed during the offseason.As hes made good decisions and made accurate throws, and in those situations, we give him more leeway to do those things, Del Rio said. He sees it. He can understand what leverage hes getting. We dont have to guess from the sideline and make a call and then try to make it perfect, in terms of execution. You can see what you see and make the adjustment and make a play.Carr did just that in the third quarter against the Chargers after Del Rio made the decision to go for it on 4th-and-3 from San Diegos 21-yard line rather than settle for a chip-in field goal attempt from Sebastian Janikowski.Musgrave initially called for a passing play that had wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper running crossing patterns. Carr, noticing that Crabtree was in man-to-man coverage against Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, switched up and audibled a fade to Crabtree.Crabtree easily beat Hayward down the field into the end zone to make his fifth touchdown reception of the year and help give the Raiders the lead.Carrs teammates say it was just another example of the young quarterbacks maturity and his confidence.The thing is, he wouldnt do it if he wasnt doing the right thing, Cooper said. Hell only audible if he feels like its the right thing to do, the right play to call. And he has the confidence in us that well go up and make the play for him.For the most part the Raiders give Carr a handful of plays to check into if a change needs to be made at the line. At other times, the quarterback is allowed to freelance and come up with his own plays.Most of the time the results have been good, like on the touchdown pass to Crabtree. Even then, Carr notices the coaching staff raising an eyebrow in his direction.As soon as the ball goes up, I laugh because I know what they were thinking, like `We didnt call that, Carr said with a laugh. Its nothing outside the framework of what they want me to do or being aggressive and those kinds of things. I would never do that kind of stuff, be an insubordinate. Im not like that.Game notesAustin Howard could be in line to start at right tackle. Rookie Vadal Alexander, who has started the previous two games while Menelik Watson and Howard nursed their way back from injuries, did not practice Wednesday because of a sore ankle he injured against San Diego. Watson (calf) was also held out along with running back Latavius Murray (toe).---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCheap Custom Spurs Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Spurs Jerseys China . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. http://www.customspursjersey.com/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. Custom Spurs Jerseys . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. Cheap Spurs Jerseys . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Marc Loving scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Ohio State to a 111-70 win over Marshall on Friday night.JaeSean Tate added 20 points, and Kam Williams made five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for the Buckeyes (6-0). Trevor Thompson scored a season-high 15 points, and Micah Potter had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Ohio State.For the second game in a row, Loving was the key to a scoring barrage by the Buckeyes. After failing to produce a double-digit scoring line in the first three games, Loving has combined for 39 points in his last two outings.Offense was something that we really wanted to polish up on, Loving said. Throughout the season so far, we really created our identity on the defensive end, so just picking up our pace and moving the ball from one side of the floor really opened up the court today.Rebounding was a large factor for the dominating performance of the Buckeyes, and Loving and Potter did their respective parts on the glass to keep Ohio State ahead.After losing the opening tip and trailing following an opening three, smothering defense and fast-paced offense gave the Buckeyes the edge in the end. The Buckeyes pulled down 27 offensive rebounds and forced 15 turnovers, all while scoring 61 points in the first half, their most since 1991.Jon Elmore scored 14 of his season-high 25 points in the first half for Marshall (4-1), which played without center Ryan Taylor who was ejected Monday against Jackson State. Austin Loop added 15 points.The Thundering Herd shot 13 of 40 on 3-point attempts.I dont know if whetherr our kids were tired or just got lost in headlights, coach Dan DAntoni said.dddddddddddd. We seemed a lot slower than we have been playing. I dont want to take anything away from Ohio State. Theyve got some great players and they played extremely well.Ohio State trailed briefly after Loop hit a quick shot to start the game before stretching out to a 12-7 lead four minutes into the first half. A 13-0 run gave the Buckeyes a 38-14 lead with nine minutes left in the half.The Buckeyes defensive scheme allowed Thompson to capitalize on open looks at the hoop. The biggest thing was when I saw the guy rotate, I would just find the next body and seal him, Thompson said. My teammates were doing a good job of finding and I was doing a good job of sealing.BIG PICTUREMarshall: The Thundering Herd had their lowest scoring output in the teams first loss. After averaging 88 points through three games, Marshall has averaged 70.5 points in its last two gamesOhio State: Marc Loving had his first double-double of the season, and has had the hot hand in consecutive games. It was also Micah Potters first double-double game. Williams has averaged 16 points since filling in for forward Keita Bates-Diop, who did not play due to an ankle injury. Bates-Diop has missed three straight.UP NEXTMarshall returns home Wednesday to face Ohio before hitting the road for a pair of games.Ohio State will face No. 7 Virginia on Wednesday, its first road game since Nov. 11. ' ' '