LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2-0 start has been powered by an offense finding the end zone and a defense making quarterbacks increasingly uncomfortable.
Through two weeks, the Raiders are tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, including five in their season-opening victory over Miami and three more during Sunday’s 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Even more encouraging for defensive line coach Travis Smith is how Las Vegas has created that disruption without relying heavily on blitzes.
The production extends beyond perennial Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby. For Crosby, that reflects the work of the entire defensive line and its coach.
“I think the best feeling that we have as a unit is just by playing together, trusting Coach,” Crosby said. “Trav’s been amazing. For our D line group, he’s an incredible coach. ... He’s holding everyone accountable. We have a certain style of play that we want to play, and that’s the standard and what we do. And how we approach everything is at an elite standard of dominance, and that’s what we practice every single day."
While pressure estimates vary by analytics provider, the Raiders applied pressure on 38.7% of Chargers drop-backs and rank first in the NFL at 45.6% through two games, per Pro Football Reference.
“Numbers and sacks and TFL, stuff like that, they come in bunches; you put the work in, and those come,” Crosby added. “And for me, seeing my teammates ball-out and do our thing and helping us play really efficiently on defense, that’s all that matters.”
The ability to generate pressure without sending extra defenders has strengthened every level of the defense. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard can keep seven players in coverage, crowd throwing windows and force quarterbacks to hold the football while Crosby, Kwity Paye and the rest of the defensive front attack with four.
Against Justin Herbert, that formula produced more than sacks. The pressure disrupted timing and complemented a coverage effort in which rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses had two interceptions. Masses, the first Raiders rookie with multiple interceptions in one game since Henry Williams in 1979, allowed only two receptions for 16 yards on six targets and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“It’s been a huge part to the first part of the season, these victories, these team victories,” coach Klint Kubiak said about the pass rush. “They have the attention of the other side of the ball. We just got to keep working to get better, and every week is a whole new game.”
Crosby remains the centerpiece because his relentless motor and reputation command extra attention. But these Raiders are no longer asking him to manufacture every disruptive play. Paye’s arrival, Leonard’s scheme and contributions throughout the front have given Las Vegas something it has lacked in recent seasons: a pass rush capable of attacking in waves.
Two games represent a small sample, and an upcoming road game against the New Orleans Saints will provide another test. But eight sacks and a strong pressure rate provide tangible evidence. The Raiders are unbeaten in part because their defense is dictating terms without sending extra defenders to create pressure.
“We play a certain style of play that we want to play, and that’s the standard and what we do, and how we approach everything — an elite standard of dominance,” Crosby said. “That’s what’s translated so far, but it hasn’t been our best. We know there’s a lot of room to improve, and we got a lot of football to play.”
Injury updates
Tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and cornerback Darien Porter (foot) both practiced Wednesday. Kubiak gave no indication whether either would play Sunday in New Orleans.
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