Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals: 3 things we learned

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oakland Raiders won 23-21. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 18: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a sack with P.J. Hall #92 in the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 18: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a sack with P.J. Hall #92 in the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Maurice Hurst is the best player on this defense.

On a defense with holes all over the place, rookie Maurice Hurst has established himself as a tremendous piece to build upon for the future. Hurst has been improving every single week, and I do not think it is that crazy to say that he is the best player on this defense.

Here is what Hurst had done going into this game:

He continued his rise today as he had the Raiders only sack and now leads all rookie interior d-lineman in sacks with four. He pressured Rosen numerous times, and a very nice run stop on a third down in the 4th quarter that helped get the Raiders back the ball for the game-winning drive.

I was very high on Hurst coming out of Michigan, and he is showing many of the traits I believed made him a first-round talent. And he is easily the steal of the draft for the Raiders.