Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby started off on a tear this season. However, the team will need more sacks in this home stretch.
September 1, 2018 is an infamous day in the Raiders’ history. Every fan knows where they were and what they were doing when they saw the news that Khalil Mack had been traded to the Chicago Bears. And following a (not surprisingly) disappointing season, the Raiders used their fourth overall pick on the presumed heir apparent. However, exactly 100 picks later, he was truly found. Crosby has taken on the pass-rushing role left by Mack but was originally expected to be filled by Clelin Ferrell. After a few years, he is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers.
There were a lot of expectations for Crosby coming into this season. Following the signing of Yannick Ngakoue, the duo claimed that they were “the best duo that’s going to come hit the scene.” You can certainly make that argument. The duo has a combined 56 pressures, according to Pro Football Reference, as well as 13 sacks, between the two. The pair has been impressive all season long. But, the two have been hot at separate times this season. And as of late, Maxx will need to step back up to his early-season form.
Mad Maxx Needs To Return
In the first five games of the year, Crosby had an impressive five sacks to his name. All of which came between two games. Now, another five games later, he still has just as many sacks. And although he is still passing the eye test and getting his pressures, there’s no doubt he has cooled off. This can be attributed to the amount of attention offenses are paying to him. It could be that he seems to get held every play and it never gets called. There are many reasons why one could argue that Crosby hasn’t gotten a sack since mid October. Either way, the elite step up. And with the most important month of the football year coming up, he needs to be just that: elite.
The Raiders still have post-season aspirations thanks to a huge win in Dallas on Thanksgiving. While the offense has had its ups and downs, so has the defense. Crosby appears to be “The Guy” on that side of the ball. So, he needs to show it. The Raiders will face a plethora of talented offensive lines and quarterbacks in the coming weeks. And most of them stand in the way of their postseason aspirations. Disrupting the backfield has to be a constant element of the Raiders’ game. And that has to be led by Mad Maxx.
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*Top Photo: Darren Yamashita/USA Today Sports