The Las Vegas Raiders battle it out against the Denver Broncos in Week 16, and here are three Raiders to keep an eye on in the matchup.
This game has huge playoff implications, and not just for the Raiders, but for the Broncos as well. So expect a dog fight, and possibly a different narrative than the earlier season clash, when the Raiders truly had no issue with handing Denver a loss.
With the much headlined second-half woes of this Raider team, somehow they are still in the hunt for a playoff berth with only three remaining games left to play in the 2021 season.
Let’s take a look at three Raiders to watch as they look to get back over .500, and remain in the hunt for an AFC playoff appearance.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Denver Broncos: 3 Raiders to watch in Week 16
Maxx Crosby
Although we have routinely discussed this week how stopping the run is key to victory this week against Denver, also getting in the face of quarterback Drew Lock will be key as well.
The best pass rusher on this defense is the Pro Bowler in Maxx Crosby. He may only have five sacks on the season, but this does not tell the whole story. Crosby is one of the best in all of football in pressuring the quarterback.
The five sacks are very misleading, and although Yannick Ngakoue leads the Raiders in sacks, he has been less disruptive than his fellow defensive end in Crosby who has also been great against the run.
Crosby has been the best player on this defense this season, and his Pro Bowl nod is evidence of this. And although Drew Lock who will be in at quarterback is not the most dangerous of foes to face off against, he has a solid group of receivers at his disposal who will look to make life difficult for the Raiders banged up and depleted secondary.
Look at Crosby as being a key player to watch in this one, as his pass-rushing prowess will be on full display Sunday, and will be needed to force Lock to not have the opportunity to go deep on this diminished secondary.