Las Vegas Raiders: 5 takeaways from 2021 Preseason Game No. 1

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Aug 14, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sean Mannion (9) throws a pass while pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 takeaways from 2021 Preseason Game No. 1

The defensive line looks a lot faster

During this offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders made it a point to get better up front along the defensive line. During the 2020 NFL season, the team managed to get to the quarterback only 21 times, including seven from Maxx Crosby, who did not play in the game Saturday against Seattle.

With both Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue watching from the sidelines, and both expected to be the starting defensive ends in 2021, we were treated to some other players who really stepped up. As a whole, the defensive line looked faster, and deeper, and they were really getting great push all game long.

The kind of push the Raiders got Saturday, even though it is only a preseason game, is a great sign for things to come. Being better upfront is going to have a ripple effect on the rest of the defense, and outside of one drive against Seattle, the Raiders really dominated on the defensive side of the ball on all three levels.

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