Maxx Crosby’s announcement last week that he would miss the last three games of the season due to ankle surgery was the latest and most serious setback for the Raiders’ already weakened defensive line.
For most of the season, the team has also been without Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce, two big losses that have hurt the defense.
However, one of the few things the Las Vegas Raiders have done well this season is maintaining a pass rush that is showing improvement.
The Raiders have recorded 12 of their 32 sacks in the past three games, which ties them with the New Orleans Saints for the fourth-most sacks during that period. This includes three sacks in the Raiders’ 15-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, their first game since Crosby decided to end his season.
“We want to be disruptive, not just with sacks, but the pressures, being around the quarterback, making him uncomfortable,” said coach Antonio Pierce. “I thought you saw that (Monday) night.”
This continued success came despite missing key players like Crosby, Wilkins, and Koonce, who together had 31 1/2 sacks last season.
Replacing those kinds of numbers isn’t as simple as just saying “next man up,” and the defense has struggled, allowing 26.9 points per game, which ranks 27th in the NFL. They are ranked 12th in total defense, allowing 329.5 yards per game.
But the players filling in have stepped up and done their part to help the team. They’ve made the most of their chances to show what they can do.
“That’s kind of what happened for me,” said defensive tackle Adam Butler. “As guys went down, I got more playing time, and it opened up a chance to show what I can do in this league.”
Butler, now in his seventh season, has started 13 games this season, after not starting any last year, though he played in all 17 games. Those 13 starts match his career total before this season.
Butler finished last season with five sacks while playing in a backup role, and this season he has 3 1/2 sacks with three weeks left to play, including Sunday’s home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rookie Jonah Laulu has also benefited from the situation, getting more playing time than expected. Laulu, playing in his hometown of Las Vegas, recorded his first career sack against the Falcons and has 10 tackles in the past two games.
“I’m just always appreciative, grateful and thankful for this opportunity,” Laulu said. “I’m happy I made plays, but I’m never satisfied. I feel like I have so much to prove.”
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has managed to keep the pressure on opposing quarterbacks even without the key players he hoped to have.
The impact on the defense has been noticeable.
In the last three games, the Raiders rank 10th in pass defense, allowing an average of 209 yards per game, and they have held their opponents to under 20 points twice.
“I can’t speak for anybody else, but for me, I’m like a military soldier,” said Butler. “If your brother goes down, if you’ve got to carry him across the finish line, so be it. … If I have to take 100% of the snaps, that’s what I have to do.”
