Khalil Mack Kept from First Sack Due to Blatant Holding

It has been well documented that Khalil Mack is one of the most dominant outside pass rushers in the league in his rookie season despite not having his first career sack as the fifth overall pick from the 2014 NFL Draft is one of the league leaders in QB hurries/pressures as well as hits on the passer despite not being able to earn the box score recognition of a sack to go into the official stat sheet. It is also well documented that because of Mack’s strong play against opposing tackles has led to the rookie being held and grabbed more than a few times each game as offensive linemen have learned they can take some liberties on the fifth overall pick.

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That was on display on Sunday as Mack was tackled from behind on a clear path to Russell Wilson on a play that went uncalled despite the Raiders outside linebacker being grabbed from behind on what would have been at the very least a hit on Wilson and more than likely what would have been Mack’s first sack of the season. Just a few short plays later, Mack was held again as the new trend of letting holding go more and more often has worked against the outstanding Raiders rookie.

You can see video of the hold below, a play so egregious that it makes you wonder how the Raiders lost a game in New England this season on Gabe Jackson falling on a Patriots defensive back in the upper level in what should have been a game tying touchdown run by Darren McFadden late in the fourth quarter when holds this blatant are going uncalled on pass rushers on a clear path to the quarterback.