Playing Carson Palmer a Terrible Decision by Raiders Coach Hue Jackson

After a predictably terrible start by Kyle Boller, Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson decided to throw Carson Palmer to the wolves on Sunday. It was a terrible decision that could have a lasting impact on his new quarterback's confidence following the bye week.

Palmer clearly wasn't up to game speed, completing just eight passes and throwing three interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs. His quarterback rating was below 20.

Star running back Darren McFadden had already left the game with a foot injury by the time Palmer entered early in the second half, and Oakland was losing 21-0. By putting the former Bengals QB in against a defense with its ears pinned back to rush the passer, Jackson risked a Palmer injury as well.

The Raiders had no realistic chance of making a comeback to salvage the game, so Jackson should have let Boller finish what he started. He now opens himself up to wide-ranging criticism about anything from the trade to his in-game decision-making.

It's still way too early to pass final judgment on the trade, but there's no doubt it was risky. Trading two high picks for a quarterback that's been watching the games from his couch isn't something that happens often.

Giving Palmer nearly three weeks to learn the playbook and getting a bunch of practice reps would have been the best way to handle the situation.

Oakland's schedule isn't incredibly difficult following the team's week off, so the playoffs are still within reason. The Raiders have to hope that what they saw from Palmer on Sunday isn't a sign of things to come, though.

If it is, the critics of Jackson will only get louder in the coming months.