Mack is Back to Dominate, Lead Oakland Raiders

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Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) high fives fans after the beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Many wondered where Oakland Raiders DE/OLB Khalil Mack went at the start of the season. But with the NFL world’s eye on Von Miller, Mack has arrived on schedule.

Khalil Mack got off to a slow start to the 2017 NFL season and the defense suffered because of it. QB Derek Carr lit up the scoreboard every week to keep the Raiders afloat. That puthim in the conversation for NFL MVP for the first half of the season.

And Denver Broncos OLB Von Miller was looked at as the most dominant defensive player in the NFL. Meanwhile, we all wanted to know what happened to Mack after breaking out last year. He pressured the QB more in the beginning of his rookie season than this season.

Some of us thought he needed to move back to OLB and play DE in the sub-package only. Then there’s the absence of fellow OLB Aldon Smith back (suspension) and DE Mario Edward Jr. (injury). Everyone needs their teammates but it turns out it was Mack.

He’s just a slow starter but when he’s on, he takes over football games and drastically improves his defense. So it’s not about him missing his injured teammates. It’s about him carrying his healthy teammates and there’s evidence he can do that.

Turn the page to see my case.

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