Dolphins QB Jay Cutler had career best numbers against the Raiders

The more I look at the numbers Jay Cutler was able to put up against the Raiders, the more astounding it gets. Mostly because somehow the Raiders still managed to win, but also because of just how pathetic their secondary is right now.

Each week, we ask ourselves ‘Is this the week the Raiders break out and get their first interception?’ And each week the answer is astonishingly no. And they passed the previous record (6) two weeks ago when they hit 7 games into the season without a pick.

This seemed like the best chance they had and I predicted this would be the week. And I was wrong.

It seemed like the week, because...well mostly because HOW LONG COULD THIS STREAK POSSIBLY GO?? And because it was Jay Cutler. A 34-year-old QB who was called out of retirement by the Dolphins to replace injured starter Ryan Tannehill.

Cutler retired because no one wanted him. He has been a turnover machine in his career, throwing 151 interceptions in 145 career games, and has had 13 interceptions in his last 12 games. But the Raiders weren’t really even close to getting one on him in this game. In fact, they made him look downright elite.

It wasn’t until the waning minutes of the first half that Cutler even had his first incompletion. He went 16 for 16 to start the game, with his first incomplete pass a batted at the line by Denico Autry.

By the end of the game, Cutler had gone 34 of 42 for 311 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. His 81% completion percentage is the highest of his 12-year career with at least 10 passes.

But that’s not all.

His 3 passing TD’s is tied for his 7th most. It’s just the 8th time in his career he’s had at least 3 TD’s with no interceptions and the first time in two years he’s done it. Last time was November 11, 2015 against the Rams.

That game two years ago was also the last time he had a passer rating better than the 121.3 rating he had vs the Raiders Sunday. Overall it is 12th best rating in his career.

His 311 passing yards was his 20th most and his first 300-yard game in two years, when he threw for 315 against Washington late in the 2015 season.

Obviously none of those three stats alone are his best. But combine them and It’s something he’s never done before.

That’s right, along with a career best completion percentage, Cutler has never had a game in which he has had over 300 yards passing, a 3/0 TD/INT ratio, and a passer rating over 120. And he just did it against the Raiders as a 34-year-old scrap heap QB.

That’s how bad the Raiders’ pass defense was Sunday Night. It’s a damn miracle they pulled out the win.