The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

STAT CORNER:

- Derek Carr

Las Vegas quarterbac­k Derek Carr, a seven- year pro, is having arguably his best season. His current passer rating of 108.7 would be a career high for the three- time Pro Bowler.

Carr has completed 291 of 314 passes ( 69.7%) for 2,431 yards, 19 touchdowns and only three intercepti­ons.

“You have to start with Derek Carr, some of the things he’s been able to do at the line of scrimmage ( are) well- documented as far as how he has control of everything,” said Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris.

“They have some really good weapons around him. The young man from Clemson ( Hunter Renfrow) playing the slot is doing a great job inside. ( Tight end Darren) Waller ( formerly of Georgia Tech) is doing a great job.”

Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers ( 118.8 passer rating), Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes ( 114.3), Seattle’s Russell Wilson ( 111.5) and New Orleans’ Drew Brees ( 110) are the only starting quarterbac­ks with a higher passer rating than Carr.

“I think he’s played well since I’ve been here,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said to the Las Vegas media. “We’ve improved the supporting cast honestly. I don’t care who you are, what quarterbac­k you are, the better you block, the better you run the ball, the better your receivers are, the better you’re going to perform.”

Some thought the match of Gruden and Carr would be toxic and never work.

“I think it’s a combinatio­n of him being able to put up with me, some of my craziness,” Gruden said. “He’s more tolerant now, probably. But he’s also a great quarterbac­k. He always has been, and his supporting cast is better.”

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