Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (38) gets up ended by Oakland Raiders line backer Khalil Mack (52) during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 16-9. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Mack Attack
It’s not showing up in the stat sheet like it should be but Khalil Mack is definitely playing like a Top-5 draft pick. At times yesterday, he darn-near turned the Patriots’ running game and passing game upside down all by himself. When the Patriots ran his way, he had one tackle for a loss but mostly turned the ball back inside for other players to make the play.
Then he had his hand in relentlessly harassing Brady as he had one hard hit on him that was almost a sack. It looks like the problem with Mack is that opposing teams know he’s coming so their quarterbacks get the ball out quick. You don’t see too many deep balls being thrown on the Raiders either as up until yesterday, it was the inside run that hurt them.
The corners the Raiders have out there now play 10 yards off the receiver too so it makes it easier to complete short passes. The sacks are coming but when corners Chimdi Checkwa and D.j. Hayden get back in full swing with bump-and-run coverage, even more will come. It’s going to be hard times for opposing quarterbacks when fellow outside linebacker Sio Moore comes back in that 3-4 too.