The Tale of Two Carters

What a season it has been for third year quarterback, D.J. Carter. Carter is 2nd in the league in TDs and 7th in yards. He is also 1st in interceptions…

At 8-7, it’s not hard to see why the Falcons’ season has been so up and down. Starting 1-2, D.J. Carter threw 9 interceptions the first 3 weeks of the year – getting benched in each game due to the frequent picks. Things stabilized a bit and Atlanta ran off 3-straight wins with D.J. averaging just 2 picks per game (hey, baby steps now). Then another tough showing with 3 interceptions against the Jaguars to drop to 4-3.

After a bye week, the young QB seemed to get his head straight and went on a tear. Carter threw 15 TDs to just 7 picks over the next 5 games and Atlanta went 3-2. Carter average just under 300 yards per game over the 5-game stretch. Things were finally looking up for the 24-year-old QB out of Cincinnati…

Oh boy – over the next two quarters Carter played (the first quarter in each of week 14 and 15) he threw 6 interceptions, 0 touchdowns, and 98 combined yards. (he was also sacked twice, for what it’s worth) These games got so bad, that kicker Younghoe Koo had to finish each game at QB. If you’re wondering what magic he brought to the passing game – 5 fumbles and a pick-6 later have ultimately ended Koo’s career as a QB. Those losses brought the Falcons back to .500 with two weeks to play.

Carter had a bounce back game against the Panthers in week 16, with 3 TDs and just 1 interception. Thanks to the Rams second-half collapse (started 7-2, have since lost 5 straight) Atlanta is still in the playoff hunt. If Carter can lead the Falcons to a victory tonight against the hapless Saints, the league will be in suspense to see which Carter shows up in the playoffs. No matter what, it will be something to behold.