Derek Carr’s three interceptions doom Raiders’ chances at Steelers
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Don Wright / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022.
Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022 | 8:17 p.m.
The Raiders’ playoff hopes appear to have met a bitterly cold end Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
A pair of Steelers’ rookies, quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver George Pickens, connected on a game-winning 14-yard touchdown pass with 46 seconds remaining to beat the Raiders 13-10. Las Vegas never trailed until the final minute despite playing in temperatures that reached as low as -10 degrees with the wind chill.
It was the coldest game quarterback Derek Carr had ever played in, per Football Reference, and he was clearly affected despite vowing he wouldn’t be during the week.
Las Vegas’ fate was sealed on the second play after Pickens’ touchdown when Carr misfired on a deep pass to Hunter Renfrow, leading to an easy interception for Pittsburgh cornerback Cameron Sutton. The interception was Carr’s third of the game as the quarterback finished with 174 passing yards while completing 16 of 30 attempts.
He earlier threw interceptions to cornerback Arthur Maulet and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. But the Raiders’ defense and Steelers kicker Chris Boswell bailed Carr out from his mistakes for a while.
Boswell missed a pair of field goals — from 43 and 52 yards — while the Las Vegas defense never allowed Pittsburgh inside the 20-yard line until the final scoring drive. The Raiders’ defense was weakened by then with both edge rusher Chandler Jones (elbow) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (shoulder) having left the game with injuries.
Jones was carted off in the third quarter, and Perryman was set to be in the fourth before the vehicle malfunctioned. Two staffers had to instead help the team captain to the locker room.
Much like their loss at the Rams two weeks ago, the Raiders couldn’t get anything going offensively in the second half — punting three straight times after a pair of Carr interceptions. The Steelers finally took advantage when they got the ball back with 2:09 remaining.
Pickett took them on a 10-play, 76-yard drive before Pickett broke open in the end zone.
It was only the second touchdown of the night from either team, with the other coming on Las Vegas’ opening drive.
The Raiders’ offense looked super-efficient as it went 72 yards on 14 plays before Renfrow juked two defenders en route to a 14-yard touchdown pass from Carr on a 3rd-and-8 play. Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller — both of whom were activated from injured reserve two weeks ago — paced the offense all night.
Renfrow had four catches for 42 yards while Waller logged four catches for 58 yards. Carr targeted top receiver Davante Adams nine times, but was often way off as the Pro Bowler had only two catches for 15 yards.
The Raiders now sit at 6-9 on the year, clinching a losing record and all but knocking them out of the playoff chase. They’ll be officially eliminated if either the Miami Dolphins beat the Green Bay Packers Sunday morning or the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football.
Both the Chargers and Dolphins are favored by more than a field goal.
The Raiders have now played 12 games decided by a touchdown or less on the year, going 4-8 in the contests.
This is a developing story. Check back to lasvegassun.com later for more coverage.
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or