How Derek Carr Has Performed In Season Openers

A lot of eyes are going to be on Derek Carr in his first outing with his new team. How have he and past Saints quarterbacks looked in Week 1?

The Saints are going to win or lose a lot of their games in 2023 depending on what Derek Carr does. While he's just one piece of the puzzle, there's a lot riding on him to help raise up the New Orleans offense from the dead from the past couple of seasons. Carr and the Saints will have a strong test on their hands with a Titans squad who started to catch their stride after losing both games to open last season. They are also extremely well-coached by Mike Vrabel. Here's a deeper look in how Carr has performed in Week 1.

Overall, Derek Carr is 5-3 in season openers during his time. We're not counting the game in 2015 against the Bengals, as he left early due to a hand injury. Collectively, Carr's stats in Week 1 come to 202/303 (66.7%) for 2,324 yards with 11 touchdowns, 7 picks, and 13 sacks. Here's the breakdown.

Derek Carr in Regular Season Openers Since 2014

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Kasim Edebali (91) pressures Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

• 2022 - Loss to Chargers 24-19; 22/37 (59.4%), 295 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, 5 sacks
• 2021 - Win vs. Ravens 33-27; 34/56 (60.7%), 435 yards, 2 TDs, INT, 3 sacks
• 2020 - Win vs. Panthers 34-30; 22/30 (73.3%), 239 yards, TD
• 2019 - Win vs. Broncos 24-16; 22/26 (84.6%), 259 yards, TD
• 2018 - Loss to Rams 33-13; 29/40 (72.5%), 303 yards, 3 INTs, sack
• 2017 - Win vs. Titans 26-16; 22/32 (68.8%), 262 yards, 2 TDs, 2 sacks
• 2016 - Win vs. Saints 35-34; 24/38 (63.2%), 319 yards, TD
• 2015 - Loss vs. Bengals 33-13; 7/12 (58.3%), 61 yards (left game due to hand injury)
• 2014 - Loss vs. Jets 19-14; 20/32 (62.5%), 151 yards, 2 TDs, 2 sacks

DEREK CARR VS. THE TITANS

Carr has faced off against the Titans five times, having a record of 3-2 against Tennessee. That includes a 24-22 road loss to Vrabel's squad last season which came down to the wire. Carr went 26/44 for 303 yards, 2 touchdowns, a pick, and was sacked once. He also had two runs for 17 yards.

SAINTS QBS AND THE SEASON OPENER

I pointed this out the other day when providing a first look at this matchup, but New Orleans has won its last four with a very entertaining come-from-behind victory over the Falcons led by Jameis Winston from last season. Here's how each of the last five openers have looked for Saints quarterbacks.

• 2022 (Jameis Winston) - Win vs. Falcons 27-26; 23/34 (67.6%), 269 yards, 2 TDs, 4 sacks
• 2021 (Jameis Winston) - Win vs. Packers 38-3; 14/20 (70%), 148 yards, 5 TDs, 6 rushes for 37 yards
• 2020 (Drew Brees) - Win vs. Buccaneers 34-23; 18/30 (60%), 160 yards, 2 TDs, sack
• 2019 (Drew Brees) - Win vs. Texans 30-28; 32/43 (74.4%), 370 yards, 2 TDs, INT, sack
• 2018 (Drew Brees) - Loss to Buccaneers 48-40; 37/45 (82.2%), 439 yards, 3 TDs, sack

The Saints and Titans will meet in the Superdome as part of eight early kicks in Week 1.