Khalil Mack is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate
Though he actually struggled against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack is playing at an unreal level. He could very well end up defending his Defensive Player of the Year crown in 2017.
Really the only way an offense can take Mack out of the game is in the quick passing game. Baltimore did that well on Sunday, but if Mack is giving more than 2.5 seconds to make something happen, he probably will.
It’s not just pass rush with him anymore. He’s been outstanding in defending the run. Unless an offense has great confidence it can move the chains consistently with the quick-strike offense, Mack will make a handful of plays on each defensive series. He’s just seeing the game better than most of his peers.
In recent weeks, the extra attention that Mack garners is beginning to let other players succeed. Bruce Irvin had his best game of the year against the Broncos in Week 4. Even the undermanned linebacking corps is following Mack’s lead this fall, playing a bit better than we expected out of it honestly.