Raiders vs Patriots 2022 Week 15: Studs and Duds

Raiders vs Patriots 2022 Week 15: Studs and Duds

Derek Carr – Stud

Derek Carr would have landed as number one on the losers list had the Raiders lost this game but because they won, he deserves credit for keeping them in it on a tough day for the offense. The Raiders were playing with several reserve offensive linemen and the offense couldn’t find any rhythm in the second half.

Carr was sacked three times and hit another five times behind this patchwork line that vacillated between giving him all day to throw or no time at all. His main weapon Davante Adams was bracketed all day long but he still hit 7 other receivers and added another 3 touchdown day to his resume.

The veteran QB’s best throw of the day came with the game on the line as he delivered an absolute dime in the corner of the endzone to Keelan Cole to tie things up at 24. The throw came with less than 40 seconds left on the clock and regardless of what you think about Cole’s toe being inbounds, the refs called it a touchdown so that’s what it is.

Carr has been up and down all season and this game was much the same as he had a strong first half but couldn’t complete a pass to save his life for most of the second half and threw a pick-six that was telegraphed from before the snap. He kept fighting and delivered a game-saving strike on 4th and 10 to keep hopes alive and of course made the all-important throw to Cole to equalize.

The game was a nice microcosm of Carr’s season and a display of his resilience in the face of adversity.