Oakland Raiders 2019 Week 17 review: 3 stars and 3 duds

1. Maxx Crosby

The Raiders found a real steal in Maxx Crosby. The fourth round selection out of Eastern Michigan has been a revelation for the Silver and Black. All that can be typically asked of a mid-round prospect is for them to improve on a weekly basis. Not only did Crosby get better with every snap he took, he became arguably the teams best defensive player.

On Sunday Crosby tallied five tackles, a quarterback hit, a pass deflection, and a sack and a half. By the way, that brings his season total to 10. For reference on whether that is good or not, Khalil Mack had 8.5… take that for what it is worth. What cannot be argued is how great Crosby is, he deserves to be in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year, and on Sunday he only bolstered his position.

2. Darren Waller

Does anything else really need to be said about Darren Waller? The Raiders tight end has fully emerged as one of the elite tight ends in the league and he is not going anywhere as the team locked him up for the next couple seasons. With Sunday’s six reception, 107 performance, Waller hit 90 receptions for 1,145 yards. Elite? You tell me.

Waller almost took a screen pass to the house in the first quarter, showing off his athleticism and speed. Without a doubt Waller is the tight end one for the next several seasons, and he bookmarked his incredible breakout year with a terrific performance against the Broncos.

3. Shelby Harris

Of course it had to be the former Raider that sealed the game for the Broncos. The former draft pick of the Raiders came back to haunt them with two huge pass deflections at the line of 3. scrimmage, one of which came on the game-deciding two point conversion.

Harris has established himself with the Broncos and Sunday showed why, his game-saving heroics earned the Broncos a big win over a division rival.