3 reasons the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Ravens in Week 1
By Alex Perl
3 reasons the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Ravens in Week 1
The Defense
If you were to read this one year ago today, you would probably chuckle at the thought that the Raiders defense would have a chance in this one. Fast forward a year later and the Raiders have basically revamped the defense in an unrecognizable way.
It first started with the hiring of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, and the Raiders then followed making over the defensive personnel by using five draft choices out of their seven on defensive talent. Free saw the Raiders bring in an assortment of talent and former Pro Bowl players in defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, cornerback Casey Hayward, and recently signed linebacker KJ Wright.
General Manager Mike Mayock worked hard to rebuild this defense, and it clearly shows. The laughing stock of the NFL perennially on defense is not looking so shabby now after years of mishaps.
The Raiders defense is experienced and much faster than in recent years, and while the dual-threat ability of Lamar Jackson will be on display, Las Vegas could have enough on that side of the ball to at least shut him down enough to make this one a game. This is a faster and bigger defensive front and a much more reliable secondary, so the defense may play a key role in a Raiders victory Monday night.