Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: 3 Surprises in Week 4
By Nick Bailey
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers: 3 Surprises in Week 4
Derek Carr’s Struggles in the first half
Coming into the game, the Raiders and Derek Carr were flying high. Many pundits on tv were naming Carr as one of the favorites for MVP after throwing for 380 in each of the Raiders’ first three games, leading them to a 3-0 record.
That perception is going to change after what was Carr’s worst game since last year against the Atlanta Falcons. Carr had less than 200 passing yards in this one, finishing with 196 yards two touchdowns, and one costly interception. Carr and the offense could get anything going in the first half and the fourth quarter.
Of course, he was under pressure for most of the night, but he was off on a ton of throws and missed on one long throw to Ruggs that would’ve been a touchdown, as he had burned his defender. Every quarterback is going to have a bad game every once in a while, just like no team is going to win every game, but Carr looked off early in this one, and without a strong third quarter, it would have been a real stinker.
Gruden always says Carr has total control of the offense at this point so part of the early game struggles and conservative play calls is on him as well. They need to figure it out quick as the Chicago Bears and their tough defense comes into town on Sunday.