Steelers: 4 Raiders players fans should watch out for in Week 2

Steelers O-line should worry about EDGE Maxx Crosby

Ever since the decision to trade Khalil Mack was made back in 2018, the Raiders pass rush has been one of the weakest in the NFL. From 2018 through 2020, the Raiders totaled only 66 sacks.

For comparison, the Steelers had 56 by themselves just last year.

Combined with a lack of quality coverage players, and it is easy to see why Vegas has been so poor on defense for the past few seasons.

One player in particular, though, is doing his best to change that, and he wasn’t even the highest-drafted edge rusher by the team in his draft class.

Maxx Crosby has already beaten expectations by being the Raiders’ best pass-rusher over his first two seasons. He was a fourth-round selection in 2019 out of Eastern Michigan, not exactly a football powerhouse. On top of that, Vegas had already drafted Clelin Ferrell with the fourth overall pick, a highly thought-of edge rusher out of Clemson. That pick was considered a reach at the time, but clearly, coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock felt he would be their next star pass-rusher.

As it turns out, Crosby has looked much more like a player drafted top five, while Ferrell has been underwhelming to say the least.

While sacks numbers are not all that matters by any means, Crosby’s 19 career sacks compared to Ferrell’s 6.5 is a clear indicator of who has taken over as the new top rusher for the franchise.

Crosby has a great blend of technique, athleticism and motor that makes him a pain to block. He repeatedly beat new Ravens tackle and former Steeler, Alejandro Villanueva, with both speed and power. And even when blocked, Crosby never quit until the play was dead. Even when Lamar Jackson had time at first, if he didn’t the ball out quickly, Crosby would work his way to Jackson to apply pressure.

His efforts were even rewarded by being named AFC defensive player of the week.

With the Steelers playing both an inexperienced (Dan Moore Jr.) and struggling tackle (Chukwuma Okorafor), Crosby will have the advantage regardless of which side he rushes from. Hopefully, the Steelers coaching staff does its best to provide help to whoever he lines up across from, whether it’s with chip blocks from the tight ends and running backs, or double teams with help from Trai Turner and Kevin Dotson.

Ben Roethlisberger will also need to be wary of where he is coming from, and based on his comments this week he is well aware of how good he can be.

Overall, the Raiders showed last week that they can potentially be a better team than many expected, myself included. If the Steelers are going to win this game, they can’t allow these four players to have big days for their side of the ball.

Easier said than done, however.