BALTIMORE – Derek Carr has clipped Ravens wings twice in two seasons. The Raiders quarterback beat Baltimore last year with a last-second touchdown pass to Seth Roberts, and got ‘em again on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
He found Michael Crabtree this time, with a decisive 23-yard touchdown strike with two minutes left in a 28-27 victory over the Ravens.
Carr is cool, calm and collected under duress, even with a game on the line. He has completed two fourth-quarter comebacks this season, seven total and six since the start of last season. According to ESPN, that's the NFL's highest total in that span.
He entered the day in a tie with Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, who couldn't best Carr on this day.
"We have confidence that No. 4 can get it done and leads," Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. "He's very poised making decisions. There was some tough sledding there against a really good defense, and he just continues to play at a high level. He's really good getting his feet right to make accurate throws.
"Smart, tough and accurate. That's what we have in Derek Carr."
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Carr was clutch all day in a high-scoring affair. He only helped his team on Sunday, completing 25-of-35 passes for 199 yards, four touchdowns, no picks and a 123.4 passer rating.
That's also true of this season. He has 1,066 yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception – on a tipped ball, no less – through four games this season.
"I don't care about numbers," Carr said. "I don't like the feeling of having statistics and losing. We care about winning."
The Raiders are winning regularly because of Carr's cool, an ability to come through when it matters most. That's something the Raiders haven't had since Rich Gannon wore silver and black.
Carr put the Raiders ahead, and the defense kept Baltimore out of field goal range at the end of the game.
"DC is the chosen one," Khalil Mack said. "He did it again. He pulled it out for us. Defensively, we wanted to be sure we held it out for them at the end."
