Las Vegas Raiders: Studs and Duds from Week 1 vs. Ravens
Studs
3. Carl Nassib’s big plays
Carl Nassib was supposed to help the Raiders pass rush last season but failed to make much of an impact. Some of that may have been scheme fit but the reality was he just didn’t play all that well and was a healthy scratch on a few occasions.
There was talk of the Raiders cutting him and his big salary but they restructured it twice instead and thank goodness for that.
Nassib made headlines this summer with his historic coming-out announcement and as part of that, he said he wasn’t playing at his best because of the secret he was guarding so closely. Now that he is playing loose and free, the results are starting to show and he was a massive part of the comeback victory when he stepped in for the injured Ngakoue.
The veteran defensive end made the play of the game and essentially one the game for the Raiders when he strips act Lamar Jackson late in overtime. He and Crosby were in the backfield for much of the fourth quarter and overtime but on a crucial third-down play he delivered the game-winning turnover.
Having a player like that who can rush the passer and play the run well coming off the bench will be a huge boost for this Raiders defense and we can expect to see him continue to play inspired football.