Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Raiders to watch in Week 11

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Raiders to watch in Week 11

Maxx Crosby

The first half of the season the Raiders seemed to struggle getting to the quarterback. Though Maxx Crosby was the one causing the pressure each game, even he struggled to get consistent pressure. He and first round pick Clelin Ferrell spearheaded the Raiders very effective run defense, but both started out slow getting in the backfield.

Week 5 against the Chiefs was the first game where we really saw the whole defensive line clicking on all cylinders. Everyone seemed to be successful pressuring Mahomes, getting him off his rhythm, and flushing him out of the pocket.

Mahomes is one of the best in the league at throwing on the run and turning nothing into something, but forcing him to do so limits the 40+ yard plays he so famously makes week in and week out.

Word came early Wednesday morning that Ferrell tested positive for Covid-19, and he won’t be available this week, and could miss multiple weeks going forward. Though his absence will be missed in the run game opposite of Crosby, the Raiders have seen great play and improvement from Arden Key and newcomer David Irving.

If the Raiders are going to repeat their performance from Week 5, they need to be able to apply that same kind of pressure on Mahomes. Crosby will have to set the tone early and often if that defensive line is going to get rolling and pester Mahomes.