Under Patrick Graham, the defense of the 2022 Las Vegas Raiders didn’t significantly improve from the previous season. According to ESPN, they ended up giving up the fifth most yards per game and the seventh most points per game. There weren’t many highlights outside of Maxx Crosby, but they did give us some thrilling plays. Let’s analyze the five best defensive plays made by the Raiders during this past campaign.
No. 1: Chandler Jones’ Truck-Six vs. the Patriots
The Raiders were in trouble after blowing a double-digit lead to the New England Patriots. However, they scored a touchdown in response to even the score at 24. The Patriots were obviously attempting to drag this game into overtime with 30 seconds remaining. Rhamondre Stevenson received the ball from Mac Jones and made a gain of roughly 30 yards. Jakobi Meyers received the ball after Stevenson lateraled it. Then Meyers tried to lateral it back to Jones, but Chandler Jones was already standing by. The game-winning touchdown was scored by Jones, who saw the ball, caught it in midair, stiff-armed Jones into the ground, and returned it 48 yards. What a coincidence that Jones’ best performance of the year came against his former team!
One of the most insane game-endings ever.
Chandler Jones did that. @NFLALLDAY | #ALLDAYMoment pic.twitter.com/JzHtZZnphd
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2023
No. 2: Amik Robertson; right place, right time against the Broncos
In their Week 4 showdown against the Raiders, the Denver Broncos were advancing down the field with less than four minutes left in the second quarter. Melvin Gordon received the ball from Russell Wilson and made a gain of roughly eight yards. Duron Harmon, though, met him in the gap, resulting in a fumble. Amik Robertson immediately caught the falling ball and returned the fumble for a 68-yard touchdown. This play provided the Raiders ample breathing room to win this game and stopped the Broncos’ momentum before halftime.
Amik Robertson takes the fumble all the way back for a TD! ?
?: #DENvsLV on CBS
?: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/qvpR1tCMp1 pic.twitter.com/ZgwblouswO— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2022
No. 3: Duron Harmon’s pick-six seals the game against the Texans
In Week 7’s clash against the Raiders, the Houston Texans were trailing 31-20 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. After taking the shotgun snap, Davis Mills scans the middle of the field for one of his receivers. The pass was thrown into tight coverage by Mills, but Harmon was waiting from his safety position and intercepted it. After that, Harmon returned the kickoff 73 yards for a pick-six to seal the game and give the Raiders the victory.
DURON HARMON ?
Got it and GONE with a pick six! ?????
(?: @nfl) | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/9pBjph4U1v
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) October 23, 2022
No. 4: Raiders DE Maxx Crosby reads play perfectly against the Rams
In Week 14, when the Raiders lost to the Los Angeles Rams, they may have blown another double-digit lead. The Rams did, however, see one of Maxx Crosby’s best plays of the year. The Rams faced a third-and-short situation halfway through the first quarter. Normally on these downs, you just try to run down the middle, but the Rams outsmarted themselves. Crosby made a tackle for loss to stop the wide receiver sweep that was called in his direction, forcing a punt.
Need a third-down stop? Call The Condor today! ??
? Prime Video | @CrosbyMaxx pic.twitter.com/v7YrLYcWb4
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 9, 2022
No. 5: Denzel Perryman finally get the Raiders a stop against the Seahawks
It appeared as though the Raiders couldn’t stop the Seattle Seahawks offense during their Week 12 overtime victory. During the second quarter, Geno Smith dropped back, but he hesitated because his receivers, Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, collided. Smith threw the pass in Lockett’s direction because he assumed he was going to keep running, but Lockett halted, and it fell into Perryman’s arms instead. Josh Jacobs scored from 30 yards out on the following play after Perryman returned the interception for 24 yards.
*Top Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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