Top Baller: DE Maxx Crosby

The 4th round rookie’s magical season continued. He bucked that mythical rookie wall and finished strong. And as usual, it wasn’t limited to either pass rush or run support. He just wrecks whatever comes his way and some things that do not.

His first play was a run stuff. It came on the Broncos’ second possession. Five plays later, on third and 4, he got into the backfield to sack Drew Lock. He shared it with Johnathan Hankins which brought Crosby’s season total to 9.0 sacks, tying the second-best rookie total in franchise history.

The Broncos would get the ball back to being the second quarter after the Raiders took a 3-0 lead. After driving to the 26-yard-line, Crosby sniffed out a sweep and shot into the backfield to stuff it for an 8-yard loss. The Broncos couldn’t dig out of it and settled for a field goal.

Late in the third quarter, with the Raiders still facing a 16-6 deficit, Crosby set about trying to ignite the comeback effort when he came flying — and I say flying because that wingspan — around the right edge and reaching out to swipe Lock’s arm as he threw for a strip-sack. Unfortunately, several of his teammates thought it was an incomplete pass and just let the ball go, allowing Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton pick it up and get the first down. No matter, another Broncos unforced fumble two plays later gave the Raiders the ball anyway and the Raiders would add another field goal to pull it to 16-9.

With 3:09 left, down a score, the Raiders defense needed a quick stop. They got one thanks in part to Crosby chasing down Lock and getting his long arms up to bat down Lock’s pass attempt. They would leave with a three-and-out when the Raiders needed it most.

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