Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will see Malcolm Koonce in his nightmares after the 25-year-old’s historic three-sack performance in the Las Vegas Raiders’ 20-14 road win on Christmas Day.
The Silver and Black’s defense was the star of the contest as they harassed Mahomes all afternoon. Nonetheless, Koonce is slowly turning himself into the co-pilot Maxx Crosby needs on the Raiders’ defensive line.
Malcolm Koonce made history in the Patrick Mahomes era
As an AFC West rival, Raiders fans have seen the Chiefs become this juggernaut offense under Mahomes. Nonetheless, Christmas Day might mark a change if Las Vegas’ defense will be performing like this every season against Kansas City. While the entire defensive unit played a role in silencing the Chiefs offense, Koonce deserves special recognition.
The Associated Press’ Josh Dubow highlighted on X that Koonce is the first player ever to sack Mahomes three-plus times in a game. Furthermore, the previous high was 2.5 for the Miami Dolphin’s Jerome Baker in 2020.
Even when Koonce wasn’t bringing Mahomes down, the edge rusher created havoc against the Chiefs. Next Gen Stats underlined that Koonce generated a career-high in pressures (8). Furthermore, Koonce took advantage of the attention that Crosby received on the other side.
Koonce generated seven of his eight pressures and all three sacks across 31 one-on-one matchups against Chiefs rookie left tackle Wanya Morris. For the Raiders, it’s encouraging to see a player take advantage of one-on-one chances due to having Crosby as their running mate.
The statistical performance from the Raiders DE doesn’t stop there
If you thought Koonce’s impressive statistical performance against the Chiefs stopped there, it doesn’t. Additionally, Las Vegas’ public relations X account noted that the Buffalo product’s three sacks are a single-game career high. Koonce joins Maxx Crosby as the only two Raiders to record 3.0 sacks in a game this season.
The Las Vegas defensive lineman joined some noticeable names regarding the players who have recorded three sacks in a contest against the Chiefs. There are only three players to achieve this feat, as the Raiders’ public relations account shared: Koonce (on Monday), Kamerion Wimbley (2010), Tommy Kelly (2005), and Howie Long (3.5 sacks 1982).
*Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal