Time for Raiders QB Derek Carr and Dennis Allen to renew acquaintances
By Jason Willis
After being named the Raiders’ head coach in 2012, Dennis Allen failed miserably. Now in New Orleans, he prepares to do battle with the quarterback he was once trusted to develop.
After a below-average year as the defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos, Dennis Allen was named the head coach of the Oakland Raiders by general manager Reggie McKenzie. A bit of a surprise to members of Raider Nation, Allen was the first defensive head coach the Raiders had since the legendary John Madden.
Unfortunately, things never got going under Allen. With an 8-24 record in his first two seasons, he was firmly on the hot seat. However, McKenzie got him a young quarterback in the form of Derek Carr. Trusted to develop him long-term, he made him the starting quarterback in his rookie year. However, after an 0-4 start, Allen was sent packing.
For Carr, he has yet to lose his job as the Raiders starting quarterback. Holder of nearly every passing record in team history, he has succeeded regardless of who is the head coach of the team. In Allens’ case, he spent seven years as the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator.
Despite being considered a failure in Oakland, he has rebounded in a big way. Routinely coaching some of the league’s best defenses, he has helped the Saints make several deep playoff runs.
After the retirement of Sean Payton, he got his second chance to be a head coach. Currently 2-5, his team is struggling. Alas, can his experience with Carr lead his team to victory this week?
Time for Raiders QB Derek Carr and Dennis Allen to renew acquaintances
Who has the upper hand?
So far, the Carr vs Allen matchup has been severely lopsided in the favor of the Raiders. Cumulatively, Carr has 603 passing yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions to go along with his sterling 2-0 record.
Somewhat surprisingly, both of these matchups have been some of the defining moments of the quarterbacks’ career. The first came on the opening week of the 2016 season when the Raiders went to New Orleans and win a hard-fought game after Carr hit Michael Crabtree in the end zone for the game-winning two-point conversion.
A play that set the tone for the best Raiders season in decades, it will always be one of Carr’s most memorable plays.
In their next match-up, Carr carved up a heavily favored Saints team in the first-ever game at Allegiant Stadium. With three touchdown passes that lead to a 2-0 start, Carr ensured that the Raiders would start their Las Vegas tenure with a win. In 2022, the usually stout New Orleans defense has been average in the passing game. Allowing 6.8 yards per attempt and ten touchdowns through the air, they have just one interception.
At 2-5 with a litany of injuries, the Raiders should be favored to win their second in on the road. Look for carr to continue his win streak against Allen with another big satistical day, including help from Davante Adams.