Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr has proved that he can succeed in Las Vegas
By Justin Fried
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has proved that he can be the guy to lead this team to success in Las Vegas next season and into the future.
The Oakland Raiders entered the 2019 season with questions. Questions about the offensive line, questions about the pass rush, but perhaps nothing was questioned more than the quarterback position. But through eight games, Derek Carr has seemingly answered that last question.
Carr has proven that he is the undisputed leader of this franchise and he should be the quarterback to lead this team into Las Vegas.
This was no more evident than in the team’s thrilling 31-24 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Carr showed poise, leadership, and an innate clutchness to orchestrate a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a game-winning score.
That score was evidence of his growth as a quarterback. Carr was pressured but avoided the sack, rolled out to his left, and fired a dart to rookie wideout Hunter Renfrow for a nine-yard touchdown that would give the Raiders the lead with around 2:00 to play.
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And despite a late comeback attempt from Matthew Stafford and the Lions, a pass break-up by Karl Joseph on 4th-and-goal would seal the deal and bring the Raiders back to .500.
Despite a lackluster wide receiver corps and an offensive line that can’t quite stay healthy, Carr has thrived this season.
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Perhaps it’s the addition of Josh Jacobs and a stout running game, perhaps it’s the emergence of Darren Waller as a stalwart tight end, or perhaps it’s the improvement of the offensive line after last season’s disaster.
Perhaps it’s a combination of all three.
Whatever the case, Carr has put together his best campaign since his 2016 season. This is the best we’ve seen Carr look since he was at the forefront of the MVP conversation.
And this is the Derek Carr that Raiders fans hope will lead this team into a new era in Vegas.
Is he perfect? No, not by any means. Carr is still subject to the occasional boneheaded turnover. Sometimes he’ll dive for the pile-on only to fumble out of the back of the end zone. Other times he’s scramble outside the pocket and heave a pass downfield into the hands of a defender.
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But when the game is on the line, Carr has proven that he’s the guy you want under center.
He may never be the perennial MVP candidate that he once was, but it’s clear that this team is more than capable of winning with him leading the charge. His chemistry with head coach Jon Gruden is apparent even despite previous rumors of a rift between the two.
Carr has been put in a situation to succeed and he’s responded with one of the best seasons of his career. He has the Raiders on the brink of a postseason appearance for the first time since that magical 2016 season.
And with the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos still on the remaining schedule, it’s very easy to imagine this team winning nine games and competing for the final wild-card spot in the AFC.
While many will point to the excellence of Jacobs, the breakout season from Waller, and the improved offensive line, the Raiders simply wouldn’t be in the position they are in without Derek Carr.
The questions have been answered. Carr is the undisputed quarterback of this team for the foreseeable future.
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And he’s the man to lead the Raiders into Vegas.