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Derek Carr, Khalil Mack Bring Back Pride and Poise

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 21, 2016; Mexico City, MEX; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and linebacker Khalil Mack (52) celebrate after a NFL International Series game against the Houston Texans at Estadio Azteca. The Raiders defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Mexico City, MEX; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and linebacker Khalil Mack (52) celebrate after a NFL International Series game against the Houston Texans at Estadio Azteca. The Raiders defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) reacts after recovering a forced fumble against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) reacts after recovering a forced fumble against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Khalil Mack

As a rookie, Mack was among the league’s leaders in pressures but only had four sacks. With opposing teams running the clock out on him, he didn’t have enough opportunities. But Mack had a sack in three of the five games that were close at the end.

In 2015, the Raiders started playing in close games with Carr engineering 4th-quarter comebacks. Mack had 15 sacks that year with more chances to rush the passer in close games. This year, he still comes through to make Carr’s 4th-quarter heroics hold up.

So far this year, he has 10 and he’s been clutch with 2-straight sack-fumbles and recoveries to close games. The Raiders faced 10 drives at the end of regulation or overtime leading by eight or less points. And they allowed no points, preserving each win.

Mack has been a huge part of those 4th-quarter stops. Sunday was his second game in a row with a sack-fumble and recovery to preserve a win. Since 2015, no other NFL player has more 4th-Qtr sacks (11.0), forced fumbles (4) or fumble recoveries (3).

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