No question the Raiders got some of their biggest defensive contributions in years last season. Those efforts were a major reason they were able to break through and reach the playoffs for just the second time in two decades.
Those defensive efforts were led by the herculean efforts of one Maxx Crosby.
We knew he had some big moments in the clutch last season, but just in case you were wondering if it just *felt* like he was big when it mattered most, Pro Football Focus rounded up the best fourth-quarter and OT defenders and Crosby was squarely among them.
Highest-graded defenders in the 4th quarter/OT last season pic.twitter.com/ab4I4suk4w
— PFF (@PFF) June 13, 2022
By my own account, Crosby was a Baller more than any other Raiders player last season on either side of the ball. Not only was he a Baller ten times, but he was also a Top Baller five of those times.
Four times the Raiders went into overtime last season. They won all four. And three of those four games, Crosby was named Top Baller. This includes the Week 18 win over the Chargers that punched the Raiders’ ticket to the postseason.
In case you had any doubt; the dude is a game-changer.