In sports, there is a standard axiom shared with certain individuals seeking victory: don't beat yourself. No one can accuse Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson of doing that.
In the Silver & Black's Week 2 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carlson was a major difference maker as he converted all four of his field goal tries from 33, 41, 45 and 46 yards. Combined with his extra points, Carlson scored 14 of the Raiders' 26-17 victory on the road in Pittsburgh -- a banner day that earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
That performance, though, came at Carlson's own expense -- at least as it pertains to the fantasy football league he plays in.
Imagine losing in fantasy... to yourself 😂
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 22, 2021
How @DanielCarlson38 stays calm when the pressure is on » https://t.co/ywGPGRjI6I pic.twitter.com/fLfDMriKJS
"I actually played against myself in fantasy this week, in my own friend group fantasy. So that was tough because I took a loss. I definitely contributed to that," Carlson laughed while speaking to the media this week.
Despite the fantasy loss, Carlson said that he still enjoys the game and believes that it helps fans get more involved with the specific players in the game of football. A group which, of course, includes himself.
"I have a lot of fun with it with my college friends. A lot of people are messaging me and telling me, 'Hey, you did great for me in fantasy,'" Carlson said. "I was at an apple orchard the other day, and some random guy came up to me and told me I did a great job for his fantasy team. I think people are very invested in their fantasy teams, and I think that's great."
A fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2018 NFL Draft, Carlson has come into his own in his fourth NFL season. He has not missed a single kick this season, including a 55-yarder that sent the Raiders to overtime in their Week 1 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Last season, Carlson set a career-high in field goal percentage by making 94.3 percent (33 of 35) of his field goals.
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