Cory Littleton and Johnathan Abram for the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to build off last week’s game heading Sunday’s clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Raiders started the season on Monday Night Football with a blood pressure-shredding 33-27 overtime victory. It was a back-and-forth affair, specifically in the fourth quarter, as the Raiders tied the game three times during that time. The last tie coming with two seconds left. Yes, the offensive stats looked great at the end of the game. However, it was the defense who kept the Raiders in it and helped get them the win. I pointed out two players last week who needed to step up and shine. Let’s see how they did.
Cory Littleton? Not bad…
Littleton needed to provide a good game but going against the dynamic Lamar Jackson was no easy task. The linebacker ended the game with 10 total tackles; five of them were solo, and five were assisted. He had two plays that stood out. One good and one not so good. On a fourth and one in the first quarter with the score tied at zero, the Ravens ran up the middle with Ty’Son Williams. Littleton took a bad angle and was out of position as Williams went through for a 35-yard touchdown. The play was reminiscent of last year where Littleton struggled and seemed out of position.
Later in the game, the Ravens attempted a Cover 3 breaker with Mark Andrews, but Littleton was right there and made it a difficult pass for Andrews to haul in. Had the pass been completed, it would have set the Ravens up in plus-territory. However, with Littleton in coverage, it was incomplete. Littleton played well and didn’t make any big mistake besides the early one, and this is what the Raiders need from him moving forward. With the defensive improvement showed by the Raiders, Littleton should continue to grow.
Johnathan Abram? Well, he impressed last week…
Abram came in with hype as a hard hitter after being drafted in 2019. He suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 and then last season had an up and down campaign. In this Monday night contest, the Raiders showed belief in Abram as they had released former first-round pick Karl Joseph beforehand. Abram showed up and performed well. According to ESPN, he also ended with ten total tackles. Abram provided his typical big hits, but he also didn’t seem to be out of position as he was last season at times, and he seemed more controlled.
His biggest play was in overtime as Jackson threw to Andrews over the middle on a second and seven. The ball hit Andrews’ hands, but Abram delivered a perfectly timed hit, taking the ball out. The Raiders forced a fumble on the next play, which led to the victory, but Abram’s hit helped lead to it. Abram played well and looked composed, and never let himself get caught up in the emotion of the big moments. If Abram continues to play at this level, it will help get the Raiders into the postseason.
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*Top Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
