Well, it looks like the Las Vegas Raiders will be looking towards the offseason once again. Following a hot 5-2 start when many believed the playoffs were a certainty, Las Vegas responded with another collapse.
Since then, the Silver and Black have gone 1-4, and they now face the dreaded Kansas City Chiefs. If somehow they pull off the upset, the season will be alive, but who knows now if that happens? These are my three defensive players who need to shine come gameday to help make that upset a reality.
Which Raiders need to step up?
Maxx Crosby
This one is a major game for not only the Raiders but also for Crosby. He has had a great season all around but has not registered a sack in six games. The way he began, you would’ve thought he was headed for double-digit sacks. In the first matchup against the Chiefs, Mad Maxx was shut down and created no pressure. There have been a lot of missed calls going against Crosby, but at some point, he has to push through and make a play. Crosby needs to have the game of his life and make the game hard for Patrick Mahomes.
Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue has been great since he was signed in the offseason. He currently leads the team with eight sacks, per ESPN, and has forced two fumbles. Similar to Crosby in the first game against the Chiefs, Ngakoue was held down as he didn’t cause any issues for Mahomes, who carved the defense up. The defensive line has been a big improvement this season and has consistently generated pressure with the four-man front, but against the Chiefs, the line was held in check. Ngakoue and the line have to show up to keep their bleak playoff hopes alive.
Trayvon Mullen
Mullen has been out since Week 4 with an injury. The secondary sorely needed him as he was off to a hot start and, with Casey Hayward, that combo appeared on their way to being a force. Since the injury, Hayward has been as good as he can be, but the replacements for Mullen have struggled. Mullen has been improving since being drafted in 2019 and, though he’s had tough times, you could see the talent. In this game, he will be targeted since Mahomes shows no fear of a corner and with Mullen coming off his injury, the shots will be taken. If Mullen can get another pick off Mahomes and at least slow down the fast receivers, the defense could put the team in a position to win.
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*Top Photo: Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal