Las Vegas Raiders attempt to tie up loose ends amid playoff push
Looking Ahead
Although Clelin Ferrell has shown improvement, he doesn’t have a sack for the season. Vegas just activated him off the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, but the second-year defensive end didn’t practice, per Bay Area News Group‘s Jerry McDonald:
Clelin Ferrell off COVID-19 list today but not Trent Brown. Both were at facility today. Neither practiced. #Raiders
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) November 26, 2020
Maxx Crosby is the only player on the roster with at least two full sacks. Carl Nassib has 1.5. Overall, the Raiders have logged the second-fewest sacks (11) going Week 12. Even with Ferrell on the way back, this club needed to take a chance on a few available pass-rushers.
Perhaps Irving showcases inside-out versatility in his ability to pressure the pocket—something we saw from him with the Dallas Cowboys between the 2016 and 2017 terms when he accumulated 11 sacks.
Nonetheless, the Raiders’ pass rush isn’t completely ineffective. The unit has to do a better job of finishing off signal-callers. Vegas actually ranks 14th in quarterback pressures (88), which means the front line could be on the cusp of a breakout performance.
Irving, Beasley, and maybe McKinley may provide the boost needed for a strong six-game stretch as the Raiders vie for a playoff berth.