Derek Carr, the quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, might have been the most important player for his team in 2021. The position he plays on the field is important, but it’s what he did off the field that was crucial. Carr played a pivotal role in keeping the ship afloat despite the tumultuous events throughout the year. To say he was one of the main cogs that led to a 10-7 season with a playoff berth would be a fair assessment.
While what he did off the field was important, Carr also had a large impact between the lines. He threw for 4,800 yards and scored 23 touchdowns while completing 68 percent of his passes. Carr also, unfortunately, had a career-high in interceptions with 14, but that could also be attributed to the fact that he had the most attempts of his career. However, Carr is usually quite safe with the ball, and this trend should be bucked in 2022.
Hindsight is 2021
What is a Raiders football season without heart-pounding moments coupled with migraine-inducing moments? Well, we may never know because that is not the reality we live in. Carr, like the team, had some great moments last year. However, he also had moments that left many fans yelling at the television. Let’s start off with the bad.
A game against the then Washington Football Team resulted in a 15-17 loss. Carr finished 28 for 38 with no touchdowns, no interceptions, and 249 yards. While statistically, this might seem like an average game, it was the magnitude of this game that hurt. The Raiders were coming off a thrilling Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys and were right back in the playoff hunt. The Raiders appeared on paper to be a much better team than Washington. That game was a failure on many fronts, but if there was ever a time Carr should have taken over, it was this one. There were a lot of points left on the board as the team only scored one touchdown, had a failed two-point conversion, and settled for three field goals.
However, not all was lost as they did manage to make the playoffs in the end, thanks in part to Carr’s best performance of the season.
The best game for Derek Carr?
The aforementioned Thanksgiving game in Dallas was not just Carr’s best performance last season but possibly one of the best of his career. While statistically it wasn’t something to marvel at, it was once again the situation. The Raiders were coming off two tough losses to Cincinnati and Kansas City. Their playoff hopes were dwindling, and they were playing a solid Dallas team on a short week. However, Carr and company rose to the challenge and pervaded. Carr threw for 379 yards and one touchdown. Time and time again, Carr and his team are in a position to keep battling. Eventually, he orchestrated the final drive during overtime for a 36-33 win. Without this win in particular, the Raiders could quite possibly miss the playoffs entirely.
What lies ahead for Derek Carr
Carr has a shiny new weapon in Davante Adams. One of his best friends and former college running mates. Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow should mean Carr has several targets he trusts to get the job done. Carr is set up to have one of the best seasons of his career. While a Josh McDaniels offense isn’t pass heavy, it doesn’t mean quarterbacks can’t thrive. Tom Brady had a record season in 2007 by throwing for over 4800 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Now, that is not to say Carr can be Brady with McDaniels calling plays, but it’s not that farfetched to believe he’ll have a highly successful season. 50 touchdowns is quite a feat. Don’t expect a season along those lines. However, Carr could easily end up throwing for over 4800 yards again and 30 or more touchdowns. With new weapons and a creative offense, Carr could be in for many happy days ahead.
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*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images