In the movie script of Derek Carr's football life, Sunday's 37-33 victory over the Baltimore Ravens could provide the emotional, uplifting scene where the down-on-his-luck quarterback -- coming off an injury -- turns the ball over at a key moment, only to redeem himself by leading the game-winning drive.
With five minutes remaining in a 30-30 game, Carr heaved a fluttering pass into coverage that was picked off, leading to the Ravens' go-ahead field goal just prior to the two-minute warning.
"I'm thankful our defense held up..." Carr said of getting the ball back with time to drive for the win, via CSN Bay Area. "Then after that, I just told the guys in the huddle to believe we could do it. We've done this a thousand times in practice. I told them to believe it, and they did a great job of making plays."
Veteran safety Charles Woodson praised the second-year signal-caller for keeping his head straight after throwing the pick.
"He showed poise and he stood in there in the pocket, made some great throws," Woodson said. "This guy ... man. He's a special guy and you saw that with that last drive today."
The Raiders hope Sunday's win changes the downward trajectory the franchise has endured the past several seasons -- depicted in our fictional movie as a hyped-up montage wherein Carr is tearing up opponents the rest of the season.
It's one small step in the process, but Sunday's comeback win provided Carr with his first true signature moment in the NFL. Now he needs to build on it.
