Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against Cincinnati in 2021 Week 11
Las Vegas Raiders X-Factors against Cincinnati in 2021 Week 11
Yannick Ngakoue
The best player the Raiders brought in this year in free agency has by far been EDGE rusher Yannick Ngakoue. As part of a dominant 2016 Jaguars defense, Ngakoue had a couple stints with the Ravens and Vikings, before hitting the open market. Just so happens one of the Raiders’ biggest needs was pash rushers.
Since the beginning of the season, Yannick has been outstanding. Playing opposite of up-and-coming star Maxx Crosby, he has been a force to be reconned with when it comes to getting to the quarterback. He currently has 6 sacks, 10 QB hurries, and 21 total pressures.
Last year Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a devastating leg injury that ended his season. For how much of a punch line the Bengals offensive line was that year, they didn’t do a crazy amount to fix that for him.
Burrow has been great this year for Cincinnati, but there are times where you can tell he is somewhat skittish in the pocket when the pressure starts to collapse the pocket. With the way most teams have been doubling Crosby, it’ll be up to Ngakoue to bring the heat and keep Burrow off of his game.