Though the Raiders would lose their seventh straight game Sunday, Maxx Crosby did his best to keep them in it. And in so doing, he notched an impressive three tackles for loss.
Crosby has led the NFL in tackles for loss each of the past two seasons and his multi-TFL day kept him near the top in the stat this season as well. He sits at 14 now, which is tied for second behind only Danielle Hunter (15) for the league lead.
“For me I truly pride myself on being the most complete player I can possibly be,” Crosby said. “Regardless…I think it’s four games now I haven’t had a sack. And I feel like I’m rushing at my best, you know what I mean? That’s just how it goes sometimes. That’s part of the game. But for me, being disruptive on all downs is what it’s all about.”
It was the ninth time in his six-year career Crosby had put up at least three tackles for loss in a game. Only Steelers DE TJ Watt (11) has more in that span.
With his first tackle for loss, Crosby reached 100 for his career. It was his 93rd NFL game, making him the third fastest to reach the milestone in NFL history, tying him with Von Miller and behind only JJ Watt (64) and Aaron Donald 81.
“It means a lot [to have the record]. I know last game I saw someone put up a graphic because I had that one tackle and they didn’t give me a TFL. . . I knew I had to get a few and it definitely was on my mind. Being up there with guys like Aaron Donald, TJ Watt, Von Miller. Being among those names it means a lot. I’m a football historian, I keep up on all that. It’s all about goals and improving and how I can improve my teammates and help them get better.”
Crosby passed Demarcus Ware (101) for the third most tackles for loss in his first six seasons in the NFL. He is still 15 behind Aaron Donald (117) for the next slot and 31 behind JJ Watt (133), so it looks like third most is where Crosby will stay. But to be right behind a Hall of Famer in such a key stat is still something to be proud of.