Las Vegas Raiders MVP, other awards after first quarter of 2020 season

Las Vegas Raiders MVP and other awards after first quarter of 2020 season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: The Las Vegas Raiders celebrate in the end zone after quarterback Derek Carr (2nd L) #4 threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Zay Jones #12 against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Maurice Hurst is budding into a star (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders MVP and other awards after first quarter of 2020 season

Defensive Player of the Quarter – DT Mo Hurst

It seems strange to give this award to Mo Hurst considering he has only played in an average of 40% of the Raiders defensive snaps this year. Hurst also does not have the basic statistics to back up the award but it is always hard to evaluate interior defensive lineman through stats alone.

Some of the advanced statistics do back up this selection thanks first leads the Raiders in quarterback hurries, quarterback knockdowns, and pressures even though he has recorded only half a sack so far. The primary reason why Hurst was selected for this award was because of the eye test.

Unlike the rest of his defensive line mates, Hurst has popped off the screen with impact plays and has been the best player on a struggling unit.

Unfortunately for Hurst and the Raiders, he tested positive for COVID-19 and may be held out of action for a few weeks. The Raiders defense is already struggling and will be hurt significantly by his absence if other players, most notably starter Maliek Collins, don’t step up. Ideally Hurst will be back after the bye week, but we will have to wait and see on that one.

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