Derek Carr shows why quarterback was never in question for Raiders in 2019

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OAKLAND — At some point before the end of the season, Derek Carr may reach too early for a pylon, force a ball into coverage and catch the kind of heat that comes with the territory of being an NFL quarterback.

But the debate is over, if there ever was one. The way Carr played Sunday in a 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions showed why coach Jon Gruden was never interested in moving on from Carr this year. Just as important, Carr has essentially staked his claim to the job when the Raiders move to Las Vegas.

There has been a revolving door at wide receiver and the offensive line, and none of it seems to affect Carr, who completed 20 of 31 passes for 289 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Carr knows and understands Gruden. Gruden knows and understands Carr.

And it feels different to the Raiders veteran quarterback than anything else he’s dealt with since being drafted in 2014.

“We’ve laid a foundation and then jack-hammered it up about 14 times since I’ve been here,” Carr said. “I hope this one stays.”

See, Carr is even talking like Gruden, exaggerating to make a point. Well, minus the profanities, anyway.

To see Carr at work against Detroit was a quarterback at the height of his powers, someone way more in control of an offense and a team than even the 12-4 lightning strike in 2016. Carr may not be able to carry an offense with his arm like Matt Stafford, but he’s showing he can be the kind of CEO quarterback Gruden wants to take charge of the offense in all facets.

With the score tied 24-24, Carr directed a 75-yard six-play drive that ended on a scramble drill when he rolled to his left and waited until Hunter Renfrow came for a 9-yard touchdown with 2:04 to play. Some of Carr’s biggest mistakes have come from forays out of the pocket.

Gruden, Carr’s biggest supporter in in public and an unsparing critic with all his quarterbacks in the meeting room, said the scoring play “was as good as Derek Carr has played since I’ve been here.”

Carr has always had the backing of his teammates, but the tone has changed. Instead of simply supporting Carr, now they depend on him. And the way Carr managed the last drive will only enhance his standing. For complete Oakland Raiders coverage follow us on Flipboard.

“You know when D.C. gets that look?” running back Jalen Richard said. “I saw it in his eyes today. There are times when we really, really need it, you see his greatness coming and you know he’s going to give us an opportunity to make the plays.”

Carr found Richard twice on the final drive on completions of 31 and 23 yards, the first of which was lofted with perfect touch after Richard had gained a miniscule advantage over linebacker Christian Jones.

Renfrow said Carr was matter-of-fact during the last drive.

“We had a stoppage in play and he said, ‘We need three points here, but let’s take advantage of this and go score,’ ” Renfrow said. “He was so calm and soothing for the rest of of the offense we were able to say, ‘You’re our guy. Let’s go make a play.’ ”

Guard Richie Incognito, 36, has been in the huddle with lots of quarterbacks and they’re not all created equal with the game on the line.

“I’ve played with very few quarterbacks that can take command of a huddle like that and just drive down the field,” Incognito said. “I played on a lot of teams where it’s the fourth quarter and there are question marks whether you’ve got the quarterback to push the ball down the field. We know with D-Carr, and this offense, we’re going to pick up those chunks. We’ve got a lot of confidence in him.” Like our Oakland Raiders Facebook page for more Raiders news, commentary and conversation.

The Raiders again ran the ball (36 times) more than they passed (31), but Carr proved capable of being on target when it mattered most and with the requisite touch and velocity to get the job done.

With Detroit leading 14-10 late in the first half and the Raiders faced with third-and-12, Carr looked to his right and threw a 14-yard bullet to Tyrell Williams. It was low and to Williams’ outside toward the sideline — the only place the ball could have been with Rashaan Melvin in coverage. The Raiders went on to score on Josh Jacobs’ 3-yard run and take a 17-14 lead.

On the last drive, his throw to Richard was feathered in to the only place it could have been for a completion.

“It couldn’t have been more perfect,” Richard said. “I trusted D.C. and D.C. trusted me . . . I looked up, the ball as dropping and it was just perfect. It was right there.”

Carr joked that the 5-foot-8 Richard was so short he was hoping the Lions didn’t see him.

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Raiders face more challenges with Patriots’ Cam Newton than they did with Tom Brady In reality, the play came because Carr not only knows Richard, but he knows Gruden, and understands the play completely and the reasons why it will or won’t work.

“That’s experience. Just knowing the coverage. If it’s a different coverage, I don’t throw that kind of football,” Carr said. “You have to throw it more on a line. But knowing the coverage, where everyone was at, knowing what their rules are on defense, we were able to throw that type of ball. And then it looks pretty and we can all high-five. (Jalen) knew the coverage too, ran the route, looked up and the ball was there for him.”

Indeed, things are looking up for the Raiders, and it starts with their quarterback.

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