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Las Vegas Raiders: 4 bold predictions after the 2021 bye week

By Joshua Terrill

Oct 17, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Las Vegas Raiders
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Defensive end Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders is introduced before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on September 26, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 31-28 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 4 bold predictions after the 2021 bye week

No. 4: Maxx Crosby wins DPOY

Maxx Crosby is not only much improved from last season, but he is also playing like the best defensive player in the NFL. Crosby went into the bye week leading the league in both quarterback hits and pressures.

He also leads the Raiders with five sacks.

The Raiders’ pass rush has been completely revamped, going from one of the worst units in the league since trading Khalil Mack to one of the best, seemingly overnight. Las Vegas is second in the entire league in pressure rate, yet is dead last in blitz rate. That is the mark of a great pass rush.

And it cannot be understated how much of that has to do with Maxx Crosby.

Crosby will go on to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, joining Khalil Mack as just the second Raider to win the award since Lester Hayes in 1980. While there are plenty of other supremely talented defensive players in the NFL, and Trevon Diggs is intercepting every pass that comes near him, no defensive player is affecting their team’s success as much as Crosby.

Along with Crosby’s superstar development, the Raiders defense has become a top 20 unit for the first time in a decade. It is no surprise that, along with that statistic, the Raiders are winning. When all is said and done with the 2021-22 NFL season, Maxx Crosby will bring the hardware back to Las Vegas and be named defensive player of the year.

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