Raiders defense comes up large with dominating performance

It is hard to believe that this is the same Las Vegas Raiders defense that allowed more than 40 points to the Indianapolis Colts last week.

There was not much in the way of personnel changes, with linebacker Germaine Pratt released and cornerback Eric Stokes returning to the lineup. Outside of that, though, very little changed between last week and Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. While the Titans have had a difficult season in their own right, the Raiders could not afford another poor defensive effort.

Fortunately, the Raiders responded by putting together their most complete defensive game of the season.

The Raiders dominated the Titans on the defensive side of the ball.

In their victory, the Raiders defense allowed only 10 points to the Titans, the lowest amount they have given up all season.

“The defense played really well from the beginning on throughout,” Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said postgame. “We got a little bit in the two-minute mode and gave up some yards, but we didn’t give them anything today. … There were a lot of guys that contributed.”

The Raiders made a slew of big plays, with eight of the Titans’ 10 possessions ended in either a punt or turnover.

The Raiders only allowed the Titans to convert three of their 12 third down attempts. First overall pick Cam Ward was under siege all game, being sacked six times, fumbling twice and throwing an interception. Run defense was also no issue, allowing only 65 rushing yards and recording eight tackles for loss.

While the team effort as a whole was strong, the Raiders received some fantastic individual efforts.

Maxx Crosby unsurprisingly lead the pass rush with five pressures and two sacks. However, linebacker Devin White had a MVP-level performance, notching six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. He became the first player since Khalil Mack in 2016 to record a sack, forced fumble and interception in the same game.

“I don’t know if anybody could put up more numbers than Devin White did today,” Carroll said about the veteran linebacker. “Geez. It’s a stat line. He made a bunch of plays with a pick and a forced fumble and tackles for loss and all that. … That’s a great football game for him.”

The Raiders defense will hope to string together another excellent outing against the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.