Aaron Kozina from Maryland asks:
"When are we going to see another player put pressure on the QB while Maxx gets double and triple-teamed?"
This is a valid question, considering how the Raiders pass rush has performed so far.
While the rushing defense has been up to par, allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards per attempt, getting after the quarterback has been a difficult task. The unit is currently 26th in the league in both sacks (18) and quarterback pressure percentage (18) and 29th in quarterback hits (37). However, the Raiders are 13th in the league in fewest passing yards allowed, which could be more of a testament to an arguably underrated secondary.
Maxx Crosby, leading his team in sacks (5) and quarterback pressures (16), has found success despite being chip blocked over 18 percent of snaps and double teamed on nearly 50 percent of snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
With such an emphasis being placed on stopping Crosby, it's on the rest of the defensive line to find solutions to win their 1-on-1 matchups. While Malcolm Koonceis still getting in the groove after missing the entirety of the 2024 season, he's second behind Crosby in average get off speed at the line of scrimmage at 0.82 seconds. Defensive tackle Jonah Laulu could also continue making strides for the Raiders pass rush, having accumulated four sacks and nine pressures.
"One thing I'd say I'm trying to focus on is just continuing to hone into my technique because things are starting to click more for me mentally going into my second year," Laulu said Tuesday. "Last year I was all over the place, and so this year, it's clicking for me. Things are making a lot more sense to me and understanding what's happening. Now I just got to hone into my technique and then take some chances, go out there and make some plays and be disruptive."