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Oakland Raiders: 5 positive takeaways from three-game slide

By John Buhler

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Marshawn Lynch No. 24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Michael Crabtree No. 15 after scoring in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 08: Marshawn Lynch No. 24 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Michael Crabtree No. 15 after scoring in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 8, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Trevor Siemian No. 13 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by defensive end Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Trevor Siemian No. 13 of the Denver Broncos is sacked by defensive end Khalil Mack No. 52 of the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

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.

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