Terence Newman picks off Derek Carr twice (Video)

The Vikings’ oldest defensive player, Terence Newman, proved against Oakland that he still has plenty left in the tank.

Matched up against young receivers like Amari Cooper and a young QB in Derek Carr, Newman did more than just hold his own. He made two huge picks to help the Vikings get a giant road win.

Newman’s first interception came late in the first quarter. On first-and-ten from their own 35 Oakland tried to get the ball to their top receiver, Amari Cooper.

Cooper broke in on his route after 10 yards but Derek Carr threw the ball a tiny bit late and Newman easily stepped in front of Cooper for the pick.

After the game Newman explained what happened on the play (via Minneapolis StarTribune):

"“The quarterback [Derek Carr] just looked that way,” Newman said. “He has a lot of trust in Amari [Cooper]. I just tried to jump the route and it paid off.”"

The Vikings would take advantage of their good field position by driving down and kicking a field goal, upping their lead at the time to 10-0.

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Newman would make a much bigger play for the Vikings late in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings were up 23-14 but Oakland was driving to try to score and make a game of it. Oakland was putting a lot of pressure on the Vikings with their no-huddle offense.

On first-and-ten from the Vikings’ 11, Derek Carr fired one into the back corner of the end zone to Andre Holmes who had scored earlier in the game on a long touchdown against Andrew Sendejo.

Newman showed great patience and body control, waiting for the ball and then out-leaping Holmes. He showed terrific concentration by tipping the ball to himself and completing the interception.

After the game Newman admitted that the Raiders had a favorable match-up in that situation with Holmes being several inches taller.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, height in that case did not prove to be a particular advantage.

Newman’s ability to not panic and make a play on the ball, a function of his long experience and confidence in himself, trumped Holmes’ physical superiority.