Raiders' Derek Carr wins AFC offensive player of the year

Paul Gutierrez, Oakland Raiders reporter: Any questions about just how “valuable” Carr was to the Raiders’ fortunes need only look at how Oakland played after he went down with a broken fibula in his right leg in the fourth quarter of Game 15. Shell-shocked, Oakland was outscored by a combined 62-20 following Trent Cole rolling over Carr’s leg and the once-prolific offense became a shell of itself under Matt McGloin and Connor Cook as the Raiders lost consecutive games for the first time this season. Two years ago, Carr’s NFL career started 0-10, then Oakland went 7-9 last season and the Raiders were about to be 12-3 when the Raiders’ spiritual leader went down. “Obviously, when you lose an MVP, it takes a toll,” Khalil Mack said. And after passing for 3,937 yards, 28 touchdowns and six interceptions for a passer rating of 96.7, Carr, who had seven comeback victories in the fourth quarter or overtime, epitomized “valuable,” not just for the Raiders or the AFC West but also for the entire league.

Jeff Legwold, Denver Broncos reporter: It’s Carr. If you need proof, take a gander at the Raiders’ losses to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round and the Broncos in the final game of the regular season. Carr missed those two games because of a fractured lower leg suffered Dec. 24 against the Indianapolis Colts. Without him the Raiders had 221 net yards of offense against the Broncos to go with just 203 net yards in the wild-card loss to the Texans. Before the injury, Carr was in the conversation for the league’s MVP award. He finished 63 yards shy of a 4,000-yard passing season to go with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. And an indication of how well he managed himself in the pocket -- to go with investment the Raiders made in the offensive line -- Carr was sacked 16 times in his 15 starts.

Adam Teicher, Kansas City Chiefs reporter: If the Raiders needed to know how important Carr was to them, the only evidence they needed was the two games they played without him. Oakland collapsed after losing Carr with a broken leg and lost the final regular-season game to the Broncos, costing the Raiders the division championship and a first-round bye in the playoffs. In the 15 games before his injury, Carr was generally at his best in the fourth quarter -- when he threw for 10 touchdowns and just one interception.

Eric Williams, San Diego Chargers reporter: Carr had a breakout season in leading Oakland to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and in my opinion meant more to his team than any other player in the AFC West. Carr completed 64 percent of his passes, finishing with 28 touchdown passes and six interceptions. Carr was even more impressive when games matter most in the fourth quarter, throwing 10 touchdown passes and just one interception. A broken right leg suffered by Carr in garbage time against the Colts derailed Oakland’s playoff hopes.

http://www.espn.com/blog/oakland-raiders/post/_/id/17488/raiders-derek-carr-wins-afc-offensive-player-of-the-year