Oakland Raiders Midseason Awards
Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Outstanding Offensive Player: Derek Carr, QB
One of the keys to the Raiders’ success this season has been the emergence of the Raider offense. After being one of the worst offenses in the league last season, the Raider offense has become one of the league’s best in 2015: eighth in yards and seventh in scoring. The Raiders have scored 30 or more points in three consecutive games now, and four times on the year, after scoring 30 or more only three times in the previous three seasons combined.
More from Las Vegas Raiders News
- Raiders news: Free agent TE Foster Moreau diagnosed with cancer
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2023 NFL Draft will make-or-break David Ziegler Era
- Raiders news: Jimmy Garoppolo offered a different kind of deal
- Raiders 2023 NFL Draft: Trading down for an elite DT on Day 1
- Raiders 2023 NFL Draft: Will David Ziegler trade his top-2 picks again?
At the heart of this offensive Renaissance is the Raiders second-year quarterback, Derek Carr. Carr has been electric almost all year, completing 63.7% of his passes for nearly 2,100 yards and 19 touchdowns to only four interceptions. His passer rating over the first eight games is an impressive 104.3, good enough for sixth best in the league. His 19 passing touchdowns is good enough for third in the league (a tie with Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning) and he also ranks in the top 12 in passing yards and yards per attempt.
Derek Carr had doubters after putting up good numbers on a lousy team in his rookie year, but it seems like he has silenced them. He has led this offense both as a passer and signal-caller but also a leader and motivator, and he’s shown that if you put the ball in his hands, you have a chance to win.
Next: Outstanding Rookie