Thursday wasn’t the best we’ve seen from Derek Carr. He missed some throws, probably left a few yards on the field with his feet, but with the game on the line, Derek was once again at his best.
With under four minutes to play and needing a touchdown, Carr drove the Raiders into the red zone against a Chargers defense that had already sacked him three times in the game. Before the Josh Jacobs touchdown run, Carr methodically pushed the ball down the field out of shotgun formations and Jacobs on the sideline. Maybe what was most impressive about the final drive is the fact that the Raiders essentially weren’t threatening to run. Every completion on the drive came with five-man protections and Carr moved in the pocket as well as he has all year.
For Carr, it was the 18th fourth-quarter comeback of his career – tying him with Russell Wilson for the most ever through six NFL seasons.
Even in his MVP-caliber 2016 season, one of the concerns around the offense were the frequent slow starts, but it was Carr’s fourth-quarter dominance that very well may have earned him a league MVP had he not broken his leg in week 16. Sunday’s game against the Chargers followed a similar script to 2016 as Carr was again at his best when it mattered most – even facing a Chargers defense that featured two of the league’s best pass rushers.
Overall, Carr has been statistically better in 2019 than he was in 2016. His 104.4 quarterback rating is significantly higher than 2016 (96.7), and his yards per attempt (7.8) and completion percentage (70.8) are also at career-best marks.
Beyond the conventional numbers (some really value the YPA), Carr has been the highest-rated quarterback in the league on third down, according to Pro Football Focus.
League wide, Carr is tied with Aaron Rodgers as the sixth-highest rated quarterback in the NFL. But don’t get too excited. The ship is sinking like a box of rocks… or so they say…
Ken Carman on Twitter
Seriously, Jon Gruden should just trade Derek Carr to Jacksonville while he’s at it. Give him a life raft from that sinking ship.
twitter: @raidersbeat
Yeah…some people thought Gruden couldnt coach again after so long away from football. Some started snickering about two tv guys running the Raiders when Mayock was hired. Some thought Derek Carr was about to be replaced. Some thought Josh Jacobs wasn’t worthy of the 1st round pick. Now they see Gruden making a difference. They see the excellent draft class Mayock brought in. They see Carr and Jacobs playing like all pro’s and many have publicy admitted they were wrong. Great job by the Raiders.
This is absolutely one of the best turn arounds I’ve ever seen. To draft the class of future pro bowlers and 1st year different makers is a job well done. Carr has been amazing and Gruden deserves credit for what he has brought back to the silver and black. Pride and hope for the future. The Raiders are back baby!!!!!!!!!!