Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns: 4 keys in the 16-6 victory
Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns: 4 keys in the 16-6 victory
Derek Carr shakes off the cold to lead his team
Earlier this year, Derek Carr shook off some old demons by leading the Raiders to a big win in what was usually a house of horrors at Arrowhead Stadium. Carr dropped bombs all over the Chiefs defense with deep strikes that stretched the field and he matched Patrick Mahomes touchdown for touchdown.
This week he started the process of shaking off some more demons by winning in some brutally cold and windy weather. Before this week, Carr was 2-9 in games below 50 degrees and has struggled in those temperatures. Some of that of course has to do with being on bad teams that would struggle in perfect conditions much less bitterly cold ones but Carr himself would admit that the cold has bothered him in the past.
Against the Browns, and more importantly against the rain, snow, and winds of Ohio, Carr was excellent and lead the way with his arm and his legs. He had an easy interception dropped in the first quarter and tried a deep shot to Henry Ruggs that missed wildly thanks to the wind but after that he settled down and took control.
He spread the ball around to six different receivers and despite throwing for just 112 yards, he threw what ended up being the game-winning touchdown to Hunter Renfrow early in the fourth quarter. Carr’s numbers would have looked even better had a touchdown to Ruggs not been incorrectly ruled incomplete but he did the most damage with his legs.
Las Vegas Raiders overcome the Cleveland Browns and the weather in Week 8. dark. Next
Carr’s 41 yards on 6 attempts was the fourth most of his career and his most since 2017 and were one of the differences in a game where every yard was earned the hard way. If Carr can continue to make defenses pay with his legs then he and the Raider offense are in for a special season.