Derek Carr a way-too-early MVP candidate amid Raiders perfect start
The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the most improbable 2-0 teams to start the 2021 season and quarterback Derek Carr is looking like an early MVP candidate.
Starting 2-0 in the NFL guarantees nothing — but it is a good start. Assuming it takes 10 wins to get into the playoffs, then a team would only need to go 8-7 over the rest of the year after two wins to start the year. So that may be what lies ahead for Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders as they toppled the Steelers for their second win as an underdog to start the year.
Carr was instrumental in that win. In a game where running back Josh Jacobs was ruled out, the run game was largely nonexistent for the Raiders, putting the onus on their quarterback’s arm. He delivered with a 28-of-37 performance good for 382 yards and two touchdowns.
It wasn’t just a strong statistical performance for Carr either. He looked completely in control of the offense and was moving the ball over the field. Four different Raiders had six or more targets on the game, he attacked every level of the defense, and it was the difference in the game as Las Vegas moved to 2-0.
And even though it’s still unbelievably early in the season, it’s time to flag Derek Carr as a potential MVP candidate for the 2021 NFL season.
Derek Carr has put himself firmly on the early NFL MVP radar
The win over Pittsburgh was already the second time in as many games that Carr has been the driving force behind a Raiders win. Sure, he had a tough interception in the overtime win over the Ravens in Week 1, but they don’t win that game if he doesn’t go for 435 yards with two touchdowns.
From a statistical perspective, Carr has checked every box through two games to be in MVP consideration. He’s completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 817 yards with four touchdowns to one interception. Sure, you’d like to see more scoring but, if it’s not costing his team wins — which it obviously hasn’t to this point — it’s hard to fault him too much for that.
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Again, there are still 15 games left in the Raiders season. Things could change at any point. But against two likely playoff contenders, Derek Carr has performed at the highest of levels and pushed his team to an undefeated start to this season. If the quarterback keeps this up, he’ll be a surefire MVP candidate.