NFL locals roundup: Raiders QB Derek Carr focused on Lions, not latest loss

For the second time this season, the Oakland Raiders have a losing streak.

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Raiders 30-14 at O.co Coliseum on Sunday, sending Oakland (4-5) to back-to-back losses.

Former Fresno State star Derek Carr completed 29 of 43 passes for 302 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Raiders.

Awaiting the Raiders over the next three weeks are road games at Detroit and Tennessee followed by a home game against Kansas City – teams with a combined record of 8-19.

“We never look too far ahead,” Carr said. “That’s one thing I’ve learned, especially in this league. You can’t because each week you play somebody it’s a fight out there every time. We’re focused on the next week, but we’re absolutely confident in that locker room that we can go out and play well.

“We can play good football. It’s not always going to be pretty. … It’s not always going to be flashy and big plays and all those things. Sometimes we’re going to have to grind them out and kind of deal, and we’re learning that as we grow. We’re very confident that there is not a lack of confidence from player to player, player to coach; none of that. That’s how I know we’re a good football team.”

Carr became the sixth NFL quarterback with at least 20 touchdown passes in each of his first two NFL seasons, joining Andy Dalton, Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino and Russell Wilson.

Carr is tied with Otto Graham and Jeff Garcia for the seventh most passing touchdowns through his first two NFL seasons.

But what matters to Carr is getting a victory, not how much he’s progressed.

“When you lose, it’s hard. You just have to rely on your foundation,” Carr said. “You have to rely on what you believe in. This team and everybody believes in one another. I just continue to stay the same person. You’re never going to see me too high or too low in my attitude and how I go about my business day to day. I’ll just always stay levelheaded and keep working. That’s all I know how to do is to work hard.”

▪ Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (Hoover) was inactive because of a rib injury.

Et cetera – Carolina linebacker Ben Jacobs (Fresno State) didn’t record a special teams tackle as the Panthers downed the Tennessee Titans 27-10.

▪ Chicago receiver Marquess Wilson (Tulare) had a reception for a yard as the Bears routed the St. Louis Rams 37-13. For the Rams, safety T.J. McDonald (Edison ) had five tackles and offensive lineman Cody Wichmann (Fresno State) saw some playing time.

▪ Former Fresno State stars Derron Smith, a safety, and Chris Carter, a linebacker, of Cincinnati didn’t make a tackle as the Bengals lost 10-6 to the Houston Texans.

▪ Pittsburgh safety Robert Golden (Edison) didn’t have a tackle, while Cleveland receiver Marlon Moore (Fresno State) had two kickoff returns for 48 yards as the Steelers defeated the Browns 30-9.

▪ Tampa Bay left guard Logan Mankins started in a 10-6 victory over Dallas. Cowboys fullback Tyler Clutts (Clovis/Fresno State) didn’t record a statistic.

▪ Denver tight end Virgil Green (Tulare) had a reception for eight yardsas the Broncos were downed 29-13 by Kansas City. Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (College of the Sequoias) didn’t have a tackle.

▪ Green Bay receiver Davante Adams (Fresno State) had 10 receptions for 79 yards as the Packers fell to the Detroit Lions 18-16. He was targeted 21 times.

▪ New Orleans defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (Fresno State) had a tackle and a half sack as the Saints were routed 47-14 by Washington. Redskins tight end Anthony McCoy (Bullard) was inactive.

▪ Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (College of the Sequoias) had four tackles in New York’s 22-17 loss to Buffalo.

▪ Philadelphia running back Ryan Mathews (Fresno State) had eight carries for 18 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles fell to the Miami Dolphins 20-19. Mathews left the game because of a concussion. He also had two receptions for 22 yards. Eagles receiver Seyi Ajirotutu (Fresno State) had a special-teams tackle, while teammate and linebacker Mychal Kendricks (Hoover) finished with six tackles and a sack and had two quarterback hits.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 6:20 PM with the headline "NFL locals roundup: Raiders QB Derek Carr focused on Lions, not latest loss."