Derek Carr leads the NFL in this surprising stat

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The Raiders haven’t won many games over the last decade, but don’t blame Derek Carr — he might be an exception to the rule that wins and losses aren’t necessarily quarterback stats.

Carr’s clutch decision-making in late-game situations has been one of his greatest attributes. Since the 2016 season, no passer in the NFL has led more game-winning drives, per NFL Stats and Research. Carr led the NFL with four game-winning drives back in 2014, his second year in the league, and he followed it up with seven deciding drives a year later. He’s had three or more game-winning drives every season since 2018.

That could be big for a Saints team that struggled to close out wins in 2022. Quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton both had one game-winning drive each. When tied or trailing inside the final two minutes last year, Dalton dropped back to pass 18 times and completed 8 passes (44.4%) for 5 first-down conversions, also running for a first down on one play, but taking a sack on another. He earned a mulligan with his back and foot injuries, but in the same situations Winston completed 4 of his 8 pass attempts but converted a single first down and also took a sack.
Just last year Carr completed 16 of his 39 pass attempts in these situations, scoring 3 touchdown passes against 2 interceptions while taking 2 sacks. He converted 10 first downs as a passer and picked up another first down with his legs. In his career, Carr has completed 173 of his 308 pass attempts (56.2%) to convert 106 first downs and score 25 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, including 13 sacks. He’s also converted 6 first downs as a runner.

Hopefully he can continue to be effective when the Saints him most. If Carr can seal the deal in these must-win situations and be the quarterback New Orleans needs him to be — not just a game manager who can rest on a strong defense, but an asset who can lift up those around him — they just might go the distance and get back to the playoffs.