Week 13 at New York Jets
Derek Carr crapped the bed in an easy matchup against the Falcons last week, throwing for 215 yards and a pick in a blowout loss. Nathan Peterman ended the game because Carr was so dismal. The entire Raiders offense struggled, despite going up against one of the league’s most statistically vulnerable defenses.
Carr has another nice matchup this week against the Jets, who rank 21st in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, and just gave up a pair of touchdown passes to Ryan Fitzpatrick. It’s hard to trust him after last week, but he’s mostly been efficient and worth spot-starting in solid matchups, so we have him ranked as a fringe QB1 this week. If you need a bye week option or a QB2, roll Carr out again and cross your fingers.
Week 12 at Atlanta Falcons
Derek Carr had 275 yards, three touchdowns and a pick last week in a shootout with the Chiefs. Carr has been productive in good matchups this season and his efficiency – 19 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 69.7% completion rate – has helped the Raiders to a 6-4 record.
Carr is definitely worth streaming this week in a fantastic matchup. The Falcons rank dead last in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, and they have an offense just good enough to force other teams to keep one foot on the gas. We have him ranked inside our top-10 this week, making him an excellent option for teams dealing with injury problems at the position.
Week 11 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Derek Carr didn’t have to do much last week against the Broncos, as Drew Lock threw four interceptions and the Raiders were able to cruise to an easy, lopsided victory. Las Vegas played ball-control and ran the ball 37 times with their top-two running backs, scoring four touchdowns on the ground. Carr was left with just 154 yards on the day.
This week, expect Carr to be forced to throw the ball a bit more than the 25 times he did last week. He’ll face a Chiefs defense that ranks ninth in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks, but features an offense that will keep the pressure on the Raiders to put up points. Carr threw for 347 yards and a pair of touchdowns the last time these two teams met, and I would expect similar production this week. He’s a fringe starter, and a nice bye week or injury substitution in most leagues.
Week 10 vs. Denver Broncos
Derek Carr had 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a close victory over the Chargers last week. Carr now has 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season, as the Raiders are off to a surprising 5-3 start. Carr’s efficiency has been solid all year, particularly in good matchups.
This week, Carr has a nice matchup against the Broncos, who rank 24th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. Expect another efficient outing, with a little more volume upside in an easier matchup compared to last week. Carr is a fringe QB1 this week, and he’s been an excellent streaming option in most leagues all season.
Week 9 at Los Angeles Chargers
In some rough wind, the Raiders ran the ball 45 times and Derek Carr had just 24 pass attempts in a low-scoring victory over the Browns last week. Carr had 112 yards and a touchdown in the victory, as defense carried the day. Carr boasts a 14 touchdown to just two interceptions ratio this season, and has the Raiders sitting on a 4-3 record. When weather is less of an issue, expect Carr to continue throwing the ball 30-40 times per game and to put up solid QB2 numbers.
This week, he’ll face a Chargers’ defense that ranks 29th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. That solid matchup should make him a quality fringe-QB1 this week, and an excellent streaming option if he’s available on the wire. Carr and the Raiders seem to have turned a corner this season, and fantasy owners should try to capitalize on the bad reputation and add him where possible on the cheap.
Week 8 at Cleveland Browns
Derek Carr had 284 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pick against the Buccaneers last week. It was only his second interception of the season, but also his second in as many weeks. Carr has overall enjoyed an efficient season, however, and he should enjoy a better matchup this week after facing the opportunistic Buccaneers and Chiefs in consecutive games.
This week, Carr faces a Browns defense that ranks 30th in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. They just gave up over 400 yards and three touchdowns – not to mention a rushing touchdown – to Joe Burrow, so the upside is there for Carr to put up fringe QB1 numbers.
Week 7 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derek Carr is enjoying a quietly efficient season, leading the Raiders to a 3-2 record and throwing 11 touchdowns to one interception. Carr threw for 347 yards, three touchdowns and a pick against the Chiefs before the bye last week, his second-best fantasy outing of the season. He’s also completing 73.1% of his passes and has the Raiders competitive in every game.
This week, Carr faces a tough Tampa Bay defense that just destroyed Aaron Rodgers and ranks third in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks this year. Carr is worth rostering as a QB2 in most leagues, but this is not a good week to start him. We have him ranked outside our top-20 in a tough matchup, and fantasy owners with other options available should bench him.
Week 5 at Kansas City Chiefs
Derek Carr is having an efficient, albeit not particularly prolific season. He’s completing 73.6% of his passes and has zero interceptions. He’s also averaging two touchdowns and 274 yards per game, which are quality QB2 numbers in most leagues, but not good enough to be a consistent fantasy starter in the modern NFL.
This week, Carr faces a Chiefs defense that ranks sixth in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks. Expect similar totals from Carr to what we saw the past two weeks. A couple touchdowns and 250-325 yards sounds about right, with a little turnover downside. The Chiefs are tied for third in the league with five interceptions this year. That puts him right in low-end QB2 territory once again.
Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
Derek Carr hasn’t lit the world on fire this season, but he’s been steady, leading the Raiders to a 2-1 record behind six touchdowns and zero interceptions. Carr is averaging 261 yards per game and completing 74% of his passes, despite dealing with significant injuries to his already-thin receiving corps.
This week, Carr faces a Bills defense that actually ranks 30th in the league in aFPA to opposing quarterbacks and just gave up 321 yards and a touchdown to Jared Goff – plus another touchdown rushing. Carr’s upside is limited, but in deep leagues that start two quarterbacks, he’s worth considering as a steady option who won’t lose you a matchup.
Week 3 at New England Patriots
Derek Carr has engineered two impressive victories over the Panthers and Saints to start the season, and he tossed three touchdowns and no interceptions on Monday night, outdueling Drew Brees. Carr leaned on his tight end Darren Waller, but is finding all the options at his disposal. He completed passes to 11 different players last week and will be counting on the development of rookies Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards moving forward.
This week, Carr faces a tough matchup against the Patriots. While New England did just give up five touchdowns to Russell Wilson, Derek Carr isn’t Russell Wilson. Expect a tougher battle than what Carr has experienced thus far, and low-end QB2 numbers. Sit him if you can.
