QB Power Rankings: Raiders’ Derek Carr keeps movin’ on up into elite territory
Even the most ardent detractors of Derek Carr would have to admit through two games that the Raiders quarterback has got something special going on.
The Raiders are 2-0, with wins over Baltimore and Pittsburgh. And while an upgraded defense has played a big role, it's still not a great defense. It's merely OK. And maybe that's all Carr needed.
Yes, Carr can still be separated from the ball on occasion and the Raiders still have to prove they can consistently get touchdowns in the red zone. But never has Carr been this good when it comes to moving within the pocket and finding lanes to throw the ball. He's as smooth as he's ever been, at one with coach Jon Gruden in terms of play design and philosophy.
Instead of the debate as to whether Carr is a top 10 quarterback, he's looking much better than that through two games — at No. 3 in this ranking. Having watched Carr his entire career and probably giving him more credit than most, I never saw him as being one of the elite players at his position.
And maybe he's not. But he's off to a great start in 2021 in proving he's actually that good.
This week's quarterback power rankings:
(Quarterback, team, opponent, last week's ranking)
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (vs. L.A. Chargers) Last week: 1
Mahomes (24 of 31 for 343 yards, 2 TDS, one interception) was going to do what he always does — he had the Chiefs at the Baltimore 32-yardline with 1:23 to go — but Clyde Edwards-helaire fumbled the ball away. That's not on Mahomes.
2. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay (at L.A. Rams) Last week: 2
Ho-hum. Brady was 24 of 36 for 276 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions against the overmatched Atlanta Falcons. Duel with Matt Stafford this week is must-see TV.
3. Derek Carr, Las Vegas (vs. Miami) Last week: 8
Let's see. If you're keeping score, Carr outplayed Patrick Mahomes (and also played him fairly even) and Drew Brees a year ago . and in two weeks has taken down Lamar Jackson and Ben Roethlisberger in 2021.
4. Kyler Murray, Arizona (at Jacksonville) Last week: 4
Rallied Cardinals from 20-7 deficit and completed 29 of 36 passes for 400 yards and three TDS with a long of 77. One of your way-too-early leaders in the race for 2021 MVP.
5. Matt Stafford, LA Rams (vs. Tampa Bay) Last week: 6
Another strong performance (19 of 30, 278 yards, 2 TDS, 1 int) in win over Indianapolis. Could use help from running game as well as receivers other than Cooper Kupp.
6. Russell Wilson, Seattle (at Minnesota) Last week: 3
Completed 22 of 31 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns but lost in Seattle to Tennessee. Was sacked three times and protection was an issue late.
7. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (at 49ers) Last week: 5
Rodgers was probably right when he said it was too early to freak out after the season-opening faceplant against New Orleans based on the way he played Monday night against Detroit. But still need to see him come up big against the 49ers Sunday night to be convinced.
8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (at Detroit) Last week: 9
Jackson had his signature win Sunday night against the Chiefs, rushing for 107 yards and two TDS on 17 carries and completing 18 of 26 passes for 239 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Recovered from early pick six to Tyran Mathieu.
9. Dak Prescott, Dallas (vs. Philadelphia) Last week: 10
The best development for Prescott in a 20-17 win over the Chargers was a running game that generated 198 yards. Prescott was a reasonable 23 of 27 for 237 yards one week after throwing 59 passes.
10. Josh Allen, Buffalo (vs. Washington) Last week: 7
It's too early to be concerned and the Bills beat Miami 35-0, but through two games Allen (17 of 33, 179 yards, two TDS, one int.) isn't the same guy who made a run at the MVP a year ago.
11. Sam Darnold, Carolina (at Houston) Last week: 18
Don't look now, but through two games with the Panthers Darnold looks every bit the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. Was 26 of 38 for 305 yards, two TDS and an interception against New Orleans. Life with Christian Mccaffrey as a sidekick is good.
12. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland (vs. Chicago) Last week: 13
Only one ball hit the ground (19 of 21, 213 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception) in a 31-21 win over Houston. Had a 33-yard scoring pass to Demetric Felton and also a 5-yard touchdown run.
13. Justin Herbert, LA Chargers (at Kansas City) Last week: 12
Had a pair of interceptions and the Chargers put up only 17 points in loss to Dallas. Was 31 of 41 for 338 yards but as yet hasn't taken a step up from excellent rookie campaign.
14. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (vs. Green Bay) Last week: 15
Had a shaky opening with three consecutive three-and-outs against the Eagles, then provided a steady hand and two 90plus yard scoring drives as the 49ers won a slugfest in Philly.
15. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee (vs. Indianapolis) Last week: 16
Rebounded nicely (27 of 40 for 347 yards) after a poor opening week against Arizona. Remains to be seen whether he can carry the load when Derrick Henry (35 carries, 182 yards, 3 TDS) is kept under control.
16. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota (vs. Seattle) Last week: 19
Drove the Vikings from their own 23-yard line with 2:09 to play to the Arizona 19-yard line only to have Greg Joseph miss a 37-yard field goal in a 34-33 loss to Arizona. One of his better clutch drives . . . for nothing.
17. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver (vs. NY Jets) Last week: 20
Another solid week for 2-0 Broncos, but the opening schedule hasn't exactly been Murderer's Row. Opened with N.Y. Giants, beat Jacksonville and gets the Jets next. So he should be having good games.
18. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (vs. Cincinnati) Last week: 14
To make Roethlisberger an effective quarterback in his twilight years, the plan was to have Najee Harris provide a running game and reduce the load on Big Ben. Hasn't happened yet.
19. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati (at Pittsburgh) Last week: 11
In 20-17 loss to Chicago, Burrow couldn't deliver in a game that was there for the taking. Was 19 of 30 for 207 yards, two TDS and three interceptions and was sacked four times.
20. Jameis Winston, New Orleans (at New England) Last week: 17
Will the real Jameis Winston stand up? The guy who threw five touchdown passes against Green Bay in Week 1 was nowhere to be found in a 26-7 loss to Carolina. Passer rating (11 of 22, 2 picks) checked in at 26.9. Ugh.
21. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia (at Dallas) Last week: 21
Made a couple of nice runs and hit one big plass play for 91 yards out of his own end zone to Quez Watson. But Hurts and the Eagles were able to produce only 11 points against a stingy 49ers defense.
22. Mac Jones, New England (vs. New Orleans) Last week: 27
While Zach Wilson was lost, Jones was operating a conservative attack completing 22 of 30 passes for 186 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in a 25-6 win over the Jets.
23. Tyrod Taylor, Houston (vs. Carolina) Last week: 22
Gave way to Davis Mills at halftime after tweaking a hamstring against Cleveland. Was 10 of 11 for 125 yards and had a 15yard scoring run up to that point. He'll miss this week as Mills takes over.
24. Matt Ryan, Atlanta (at NY Giants) Last week: 23
Al Davis used to espouse “The Vertical Game.” Ryan and the Falcons went mostly horizontal in a loss to Tampa Bay (35 of 46 for 300 yards, 2 TDS). Threw two pick sixes as the Bucs put it out of reach.
25. Jared Goff, Detroit (vs. Baltimore) Last week: 25
Goff remains a quality anticipatory thrower — the skill that made him the No. 1 overall draft pick out of Cal. He showed some of it Monday night. But the supporting cast isn't good enough to put wins in the bank.
26. Taylor Heineke, Washington (at Buffalo) Last week: 32
After the way Heineke played against the New
York Giants on Thursday night, Washington coach Ron Rivera can leave Cam Newton on hold for the time being. And Ryan Fitzpatrick can take his time getting healthy.
27. Daniel Jones, NY Giants (vs. Atlanta) Last week: 31
Was impressive both running and passing against Washington, but again was New York's leading rusher over Saquon Barkley (95 yards to 57). That can't continue if the Giants are going to be a viable offense.
28. Andy Dalton, Chicago (at Cleveland) Last week: 30
Hurt his knee but not seriously in win over Cincinnati. Justin Fields came off the bench and was unimpressive, so Dalton goes back in if healthy enough this week against Browns.
29. Tua Tagovaiola, Miami (at Las Vegas) Last week: 24
When a team lets it leak that your rib injury is simply a matter of “pain management” then someone is questioning your toughness. That's what's happening to Tua this week. Jacoby Brissett starts if Tagavaiola can't play.
30. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis (at Tennessee) Last week: 26
Injured both ankles and didn't finish a close loss to the Rams. Was 20 of 31 for 247 yards, one TD and one astonishingly bad interception. It's Jacob Eason if Wentz can't play.
31. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville (vs. Arizona) Last week: 28
Directed an offense that gained all of 189 yards against Denver. Was 14 of 33 for 118 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions. Moral of the story? Coaching matters. Supporting cast matters.
32. Zach Wilson, NY Jets (at Denver) Last week: 29
Bill Belichick may not have Tom Brady anymore, but he can still devise a scheme to destroy a rookie quarterback. Wilson was 19 of 33 for 210 yards, no touchdowns and four intercepitons — including his first two throws.