With The First Pick
Fansided

Oakland Raiders Could Still Have Championship D

By Carl Cockerham

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) strips the football from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) strips the football from Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Panthers 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is injured as he is sacked by Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is injured as he is sacked by Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

Pass Rush

We all know that OLB/DE Khalil Mack is arguably the best edge rusher in the game. He had a slow start but has eight sacks in his last six games because he figured out how to beat triple teams. But it takes more than one great edge rusher to have a great pass rush.

A great pass rush has two great edge rushers and at least one stud anterior pass rusher. The Raiders haven’t had that all season with Mario Edwards Jr.’s injury and Aldon Smith’s suspension. Edwards posted a video of himself doing drills on Instagram Thursday.

So we should see him taking double teams and not allowing quarterbacks to step up in the pocket soon. Last year, Mack went on his tear soon after Edwards was inserted into the starting lineup. Interior pass rushers usually set things up for the edge rushers.

Smith also takes attention away from Mack because you can’t slide the protection away from him. He also chases quarterbacks right into Mack at times for easy sacks. But Edwards is the biggest part of why Mack had five sacks against the Denver Broncos last year.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders