Las Vegas Raiders at Chargers 2022 Week 1: Studs and Duds
Las Vegas Raiders at Chargers 2022 Week 1: Studs and Duds
Duds – Derek Carr
On the surface, it looks like Derek Carr had a good game until of course you get to the interceptions and potential turnovers. Going 22 of 37 for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns is great but adding in 3 picks and 2 near-lost fumbles make this game and Carr’s performance a total dud.
Carr was pressured for most of the game but he also made some poor decisions and underthrew his receivers several times which lead to LA’s three interceptions. The first was a throw down the middle to Waller that was picked off by LB Drue Tranquill in somewhat spectacular fashion but a better throw likely leads to a touchdown.
The second was a deep pass to Adams that was also somewhat underthrown and picked off once again by a Charger defender. Also once again, a better throw and this is a touchdown for Adams but the throw itself may have been ill-advised because he was triple covered.
The last pick was the most maddening as there was clearly nothing open on a 2nd and 2 early in the 4th quarter and rather than taking off or throwing it away, Carr tried to force it while flatfooted to Hunter Renfrow and was intercepted for the third time.
We can give Carr some grace and say he was unlucky and was trying to force the ball to his playmakers but we have seen performances like this from him in the past. Had he been sharper on Sunday, even with the pressure in his face, the Raiders could have won this game and made a huge statement to the league that they are not to be messed with this season.
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Instead, he faltered and could not muster up one of his trademark game-winning drives to redeem himself. He gets an easier test next week against an Arizona defense that gave up a million touchdowns to Patrick Mahomes so we will know if this was a one-off or the start of a trend for the veteran QB.