Week 16 vs San Diego
An uneven performance by Derek Carr played a big role in Oakland’s Week 15 loss to Green Bay. Carr’s two first quarter interceptions gave the Packers an early lead. Fortunately, Derek did not throw in the towel after his rough start and threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders kept things competitive. Carr also ran for 42 yards, giving his fantasy owners an unexpected bonus as he will never be confused with Cam Newton and Russell Wilson in the mobility department.
Back in Week 7, Carr burned San Diego for 289 yards and three touchdowns. And in a home start against the Chargers last year, Carr threw for 282 yards and four scores. Keep that in mind when evaluating potential streamers this week. Derek should be no worse than a low-end QB1.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay
While pass rusher Khalil Mack was the MVP of Oakland’s 15-12 triumph over Denver last Sunday, it must be noted that Derek Carr held firm against a strong Broncos defense and earned one of the most important victories of his young career. On a day where the Broncos shut down Latavius Murray on the ground and completely eliminated top receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, Carr threw touchdown passes to lower lights Seth Roberts and Mychal Rivera.
Green Bay has a credible pass defense. The Packers yield 233.8 passing yards per game and have allowed 16 touchdown passes. Nevertheless, they do not arouse the same kind of fear as the Broncos. Carr has thrown seven touchdown passes in his last three games and a productive day will definitely take place if Crabtree and Cooper get back on track. Carr is just outside QB1 territory in our rankings, but if he is your best option, rest assured he will not greatly hamper your team’s chances of a taking home a playoff victory.
Week 14 at Denver
As promising as Derek Carr has looked at times during his second NFL season, it is also important to remember that he is still a young quarterback. And he struggles at times like many youthful players at his position. Last Sunday, Carr threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns, but also tossed three interceptions as Oakland suffered a devastating loss to Kansas City.
Carr is almost sure to struggle again this week against Denver’s top-rated pass defense. The Broncos allow the fewest yards per game in the NFL and are tied with Seattle for allowing the fewest passing touchdowns. In an earlier meeting with the Broncos, Carr was held to 249 yards and one score. It would be hard to bench Carr in 2QB leagues where choices can be limited, but you should start someone else in other formats.
Week 13 at Kansas City
Owners who had been furious with Derek Carr after a disastrous Week 11 showing in Detroit were feeling opposite emotions in Week 12, as Carr torched the Tennessee Titans for 330 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-21 Oakland victory. Carr was clutch, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with under two minutes to play.
Carr did not have a great deal of success against Kansas City last year, throwing for 396 yards and two touchdowns in two meetings, but his supporting cast is much better heading into this week’s showdown. Plus, there is a possibility the Chiefs will not have Justin Houston in their lineup. Nonetheless, when you consider Kansas City completely shut down San Diego’s Philip Rivers two weeks ago, the downside for Carr could be frightening. There is no reason to look elsewhere in 2QB leagues, but you might be better off with a different QB1 in other formats.
Week 12 at Tenneesse
One of the most disappointing fantasy players in Week 11 was Derek Carr. Although Detroit’s defense has suddenly become a force, it was thought that Carr and the rest of the Raiders had progressed to the point where they would be reliable against anyone. Instead, Carr threw for 169 yards and zero touchdowns.
On the surface, one might think a tilt with the Titans would be an ideal setup for Carr to get back on track. However, despite their overall flaws as a team, only Denver and Seattle have pass defenses ranked higher than Tennessee. Carr is still a nice starter in 2-QB leagues, but it may be time to send him to the bench in other formats provided you have a better alternative.
Week 11 at Detroit
Derek Carr had a bit of an off day last Sunday in Oakland’s 30-14 loss to Minnesota. Carr threw two interceptions, but also tossed two touchdown passes and compiled 302 yards. In other words, if that was an off day, fantasy owners hardly had reasons to frown regularly over Derek’s performance.
And there ought to be way more smiling than frowning again this week. Detroit somehow slowed Green Bay in an upset win in Week 10, but opponents have burned the Lions for 16 touchdown passes and 260.1 yards per game. With Oakland desperately needing a win to maintain legitimate playoff hopes, Carr is an elite QB1.
Week 10 vs Minnesota
Since Oakland’s bye in Week 6, Derek Carr has been one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in both fantasy and real football. Last Sunday in Pittsburgh, Carr threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns as Oakland lost a 38-35 thriller to the Steelers. It was the second game in a row where Carr had four scores.
Minnesota constitutes a significant threat to Carr’s recent run of glory. The Vikings, who are serious playoff contenders, have given up just nine touchdown passes in eight games and are limiting foes to 220.6 yards per game. However, many assumed Derek would struggle against the Jets recently and he shredded their secondary. Carr has reached the point where it would be very hard to sit him and owners should have no hesitation in giving him another start.
Week 9 at Pittsburgh
There are very few seats left on the Derek Carr bandwagon. The second-year signal caller out of Fresno State went crazy in a good way last Sunday, throwing for 333 yards and four touchdowns against a formidable New York Jets pass defense. The week before, Carr tossed three touchdown passes and racked up 289 yards in a victory over San Diego.
In their last three games, Pittsburgh has allowed just three touchdown passes. However, the Steelers are still giving up 269.5 yards per game. No one is categorizing them as a shutdown defense. Carr has earned QB1 status and should be a solid starter across all formats.
Week 8 vs. New York Jets
In his second season, Derek Carr is growing up quickly. The Raiders, normally the laughingstock of the NFL, are a credible 3-3 under Carr’s leadership. He scorched San Diego’s secondary last Sunday, throwing for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
As Carr gains credibility, it is important to once again note young quarterbacks go through growing pains, and the Jets could deliver a heavy dose of anguish to Derek. New York has one of the best defenses in the NFL. Owners in 2-QB formats can start Carr out of necessity, but those hunting for streamers need to venture in other directions.
Week 7 vs. San Diego
In his last game, Derek Carr faced the mighty obstacle known as the Denver defense. While Carr managed to throw for 249 yards, he was limited to one touchdown pass and threw a devastating interception. In his defense, Derek was not the first quarterback who struggled against the Broncos and he certainly will not be the last.
The Chargers are not as daunting, but their pass defense has been fairly respectable. Although they have yielded 10 touchdown passes, San Diego has held opponents to 221.8 yards per game, which puts them among the NFL’s best in that category. In two games with San Diego last year, Carr was hot and cold. He threw for four touchdown passes the first time the teams played, but failed to throw a touchdown pass in the second contest. Carr should find middle ground between those extremes and emerge as a satisfactory starter in 2-QB leagues.
