Could the Las Vegas Raiders’ playoff aspirations hinge on how the team performs in September? Rich Eisen believes so. Meanwhile, Maxx Crosby showed leadership and character when David Agoha registered a sack in the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Eisen gave the Raiders plenty of coverage on Friday, including an interview with The Athletic’s Vic Tafur to discuss Josh Jacobs. However, he also touched on the team’s playoff prospects.
Although Crosby has the captaincy patch, it’s not a title he likely doesn’t take lightly. The Raiders star displayed admirable traits after Agoha recorded a sack, and Crosby was his biggest fan on the sideline.
So let’s dive into the latest regarding the Silver and Black, as there’s plenty to discuss.
Rich Eisen believes September will define Vegas’ playoff chances
Las Vegas aims to bounce back and secure a playoff spot in the 2023 season following a disappointing Year 1 with head coach Josh McDaniels. So how will the Raiders get from Week 1 to the postseason? Well, Eisen believes that the key lies in September.
“How about that start?” Eisen said on The Riche Eisen Show Friday. “Three of the first four [games] are on the road. At Denver, at Buffalo, home for Pittsburgh on a Sunday night, the whole country [watching] right. At [the] Chargers, then Monday night [against the Green Bay Packers at home]. If they’re 0-4 and Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love come into town maybe 3-1 [or] 2-2 feeling good about themselves and Davante [Adams] is there going what the hell?”
McDaniels and Co. will face Russell Wilson under new head coach Sean Payton. Then, in two of the following three games, the Raiders have Justin Herbert and Josh Allen. While Kenny Pickett isn’t “elite,” the Pittsburgh Steelers are always competitive. So they’ll be sandwiched between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers games.
Las Vegas has a lighter schedule after September, with games against teams led by Love, Mac Jones, Justin Fields, and Jared Goff. The Jimmy Garoppolo era will face adversity early as the Silver and Black face the challenge of achieving a .500 record in the first four weeks.
So what do you say, Raiders fans? Is September the critical month for Las Vegas’ playoff hopes, or do you disagree with Eisen? Share your thoughts.
Maxx Crosby, Raiders gives a wholesome reaction to David Agoha’s preseason sack
The preseason is a competitive time on the NFL calendar. Several players fight for jobs and a higher place on the depth chart. Nonetheless, there are some wholesome moments and Crosby provided the latest.
In the Raiders’ 34-17 win over the Rams on Saturday at SoFi Stadium, Agoha registered a sack of quarterback Brett Rypien. While for most players, a preseason sack would be no big deal. However, it meant a lot for the 22-year-old who began playing football two years ago.
“They loved me so much when I got the sack,” Agoha said (h/t The Athletic’s Vic Tafur). “The whole sideline came to me and celebrated. The love was just crazy. To have a guy like Maxx, who plays at that level, makes you want to be at that level. It pushes me every day because I see how good he is. That’s how I want to be.”
Agoha is on Las Vegas’ roster through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. The pass rusher is one of eight players selected for the program this season, including six Nigerian players.
The players will remain with their respective teams throughout the training camp. After camp, they may either be added to the active roster or become an extra practice squad member and remain with the team for the entire season.
With the new season nearing, Maxx Crosby will be looking to establish himself as the top pass rusher in the NFL. Still, the 25-year-old will be there for his teammates on defense, rooting for them when they have an individual achievement.
*Top Photo: Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group