Derek Carr's career numbers in cold weather aren't great. He knows that.
The Raiders quarterback also hasn't fared well in his career at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Silver and Black will head Sunday to face the Chiefs with a share of first place in the AFC West on the line.
In his five career starts at Arrowhead Stadium, Carr is averaging 186 yards per game while completing just 55 percent of his passes. In those five contests, he's thrown three touchdowns and five interceptions and has a total QBR of 15.
All in all, Carr's numbers in cold weather games (below 40 degrees) aren't good. His former head coach Jack Del Rio pointed out that fact on Twitter on Tuesday.
Last week was inexcusable...... moving on. The @Raiders will need to pound the rock offensively vs @Chiefs and on defense not allow Mahomes to throw it over the top. #4 just hasn't played well in cold weather games and that will have to change for Oakland to have a chance. https://t.co/4FsvD7xEYN— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) November 26, 2019
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Carr, who played under Del Rio for three seasons, offered a response to his former coach's words Wednesday after practice.
"Jack was there with me a couple of those times," Carr said with a smile. "I used to think it was a team game. But yes, it's all my fault, and I take full responsibility."
While football indeed is a team game, Carr no doubt knows that as QB1, the buck stops with him. If Oakland doesn't win, no matter what his individual stats are, people will criticize him. It's the nature of the position.
Del Rio responded by wishing his former QB good luck Sunday in a crucial game for the Raiders' playoff hopes.
It is definitely a team game and I'm hoping DC comes thru, plays well and helps his team earn a piece of 1st place in the AFC west! But the fact remains he hasn't played well in cold weather #LetsGo https://t.co/At5vF42t5t— Jack Del Rio (@coachdelrio) November 27, 2019
The Raiders (6-5) are coming off an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the 4-7 Jets. The loss snapped Oakland's three-game winning streak and knocked them out of the current playoff picture in the AFC.
[RELATED: Forcing turnovers will be key to Raiders upsetting Chiefs]
The Chiefs enter the Week 13 tilt getting healthier coming off a bye week. They haven't been as dominant as last season, but reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes still can put up points in a hurry.
If the Raiders defense gets gashed by Mahomes, it'll be up to Carr to make plays and keep his team in the game.
There's no doubt he'd love nothing more than to pick up his first career win at Arrowhead and silence Del Rio and a number of his doubters.
