New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates a touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Saints QB Derek Carr throws 39-yard TD to WR Rashid Shaheed

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr hasn't met expectations this season, but he's stepping up at the right time.

Against the Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Carr threw a 39-yard TD pass to second-year WR Rashid Shaheed, giving New Orleans a 31-17 lead with 8:54 remaining in the third quarter. Thus far, Carr has completed 17-of-21 passes for 221 yards and three TDs.

Carr inked a four-year, $150M deal with $100M guaranteed this offseason. Entering Week 18, he's completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 3,614 yards, 21 TDs, eight picks and a 53.8 QBR, just above the league average. While that's not a terrible stat line, New Orleans (8-8) probably expected more. 

Carr recently told NOLA.com he's willing to restructure his deal this offseason to clear cap room and help the team acquire more weapons. Better playmakers could help him raise his game next season, allowing the Saints to successfully rebuild.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Rudy Gobert fined $75,000 for gesture in Game 4
Former Canadiens GM on Blue Jackets' radar
Cubs designate lefty reliever for assignment
Two-time Super Bowl champ signs with AFC contender
Stars center matches Gretzky feat as Dallas pushes Avalanche to brink
Gritty young Thunder take down veteran Mavericks in Game 4
Cubs acquiring veteran reliever from Mariners
Top-five NBA Draft prospect suffers scary non-contact injury
Hurricanes stay alive with third-period outburst vs. Rangers
Jaylen Brown's big three-pointer gives Celtics 3-1 lead over Cavs
Avalanche star placed in player assistance program
Mercury announce devastating injury on eve of WNBA season
Randy Moss' son makes major football announcement
Reds place key outfielder on injured list with broken thumb
Tom Brady's broadcasting debut set for Week 1 of NFL season
Struggling Cubs reliever placed on injured list 
Report: Justin Fields had ‘toxic' relationship with ex-Bears QB
Extension makes Lions QB Jared Goff one of NFL's highest-paid players
Kentucky's Reed Sheppard displays excellent skills at NBA Draft Combine
Knicks big man undergoes another ankle surgery

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.