The Atlanta Falcons smacked the Las Vegas Raiders with a grim reality check after Sunday’s 43-6 beatdown. From top to bottom, the Silver and Black were obliterated in all phases and looked disinterested. Similarly, Derek Carr’s 2020 MVP hopes have also been decimated after an embarrassing performance.
Raiders QB Derek Carr was a no show
The now 4-7 Atlanta Falcons crushed the Las Vegas Raiders this past Sunday. Consequently, the Silver and Black only appeared in uniform at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This was a pivotal matchup considering the tightness of the AFC playoff race prior to kickoff. Starting quarterback Derek Carr spearheaded the bad performance and accounted for four of the team’s five total turnovers. While Carr was under pressure for the majority of the day, there is no excuse for plays like the one below.
Derek Carr throws a pick-six 😨
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/KdzQjj9TeB
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2020
A ‘pick-6’ drove the nail in the coffin of any remote chance of a Raider comeback. Looking back, it was eerily similar to this play against the New York Jets last season.
Derek Carr throws a pick-6 against the #Jets who are now up 34-3.pic.twitter.com/27veMpmXbw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 24, 2019
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Also, like the 2019 regular season, the Raiders signal-caller failed to deliver while the team had a 6-4 record. Ultimately, it is a microcosm of a more concerning picture of the seventh-year veteran.
Related:Â Grading Raiders’ Embarrassing 43-6 Loss vs Falcons
Premature MVP Talk
After a Raider loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11, pundits and media alike were raving about how Derek Carr was a 2020 NFL MVP candidate.
Derek Carr improves to 40-1 odds to win MVP per @betonline_ag That’s tied with Tom Brady for 7th best odds. Patrick Mahomes is favorite at 5-8
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) November 24, 2020
However, how can one truly be an MVP candidate while they bear the most fumbles in the entire NFL?
Derek Carr has 11 fumbles through 11 games this season.
He’s shown growth in many areas of his game this year, but ball security remains the one factor that continues to haunt him.
— Nick Cothrel (@NickCothrel) November 29, 2020
Las Vegas’ offensive line wasn’t up to standard yesterday, but that doesn’t excuse Carr’s legitimate ball security issue.
#Raiders Derek Carr has fumbled the ball 8 times on 17 sacks this season (47.1%). The NFL average for all other QBs is fumbles on 11.9% of sacks
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) November 30, 2020
The most valuable player in the NFL takes care of the football and leads his team to victory on a consistent basis. A team’s most valuable player is not the Achilles’ heel in the thick of fighting for a playoff berth. Above all, the foolish emphasis on individual awards for an inconsistent player should now cease.
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Top Photo by John Bazemore/Associated Press
