We’re off and running towards Week 15 with the New Orleans Saints (6-7) hosting the New York Giants (5-8) in what may be a pivotal game for the NFC playoff standings; the race for the final wild card seed is intense and the Giants could usurp the Saints with a win, putting all of New Orleans’ postseason hopes on winning the worst division in pro football.
And so much of their fortunes are tied to Derek Carr. The $150 million quarterback has not played well in his first season in black and gold, as evidenced by ESPN’s Total QBR rating, a metric that “values the quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale adjusted for the strength of opposing defenses faced.”
It’s about as comprehensive as it gets for evaluating quarterback play. And here’s where it has Carr stacked up against qualifying passers from around the NFL:
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 10: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on December 10, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Dec 12, 2021; East Rutherford, N.J.,USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 08: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots runs a ball during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 29: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans hands the ball to Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 26: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons calls a play in the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Total QBR | 40.3
Derek Carr, Saints
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 03: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at the Caesars Superdome on December 03, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Jan 8, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates with Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) after connecting on a long pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) jogs off the field after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Joshua Dobbs #15 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 19, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Oct 15, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls a play at the line against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 16: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on October 16, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans high-fives fans after a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Nov 6, 2022; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden (44) in the second half in Glendale, Arizona, USA; at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 03: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions walks across the field at halftime against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome on December 03, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) walks the sideline Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 19, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) attempts a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) yells after wide receiver Christian Kirk (13), not shown, caught a pass for a touchdown score during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-20. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 29: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings takes to the field prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) hands off to running back James Cook (4) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers signals for a first down during the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Levi’s Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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