Oakland Raiders in Good Shape After Huge Win

Star Edge Rusher

Another part of the Raiders giving up big passing numbers to start 2016 is there was no pass rush. Mack is a notorious slow starter to the season so we knew he would eventually get it going. But games are going by so the Raiders needed him to get going.

However, it would help if others got going as Mack has been the center of opposing team’s blocking schemes. He was also tackled and had a full Nelson put on him as I explained in Return of the Mack. But it’s easy to see those penalties would start getting called.

Once head coaches bring it out in the media, the league has to do something. So Mack started getting his calls and started putting the kind of relentless pressure on the QB we’re used to. He got a sack, five hurries and three hits, forcing Flacco to miss open targets.

What I was most impressed with by Mack Sunday was how he split the double teams. You can tell he nows when it’s coming and now treats it as a part of rushing the passer. He has his counter moves set up for when the opposing guards come into the equation now.