Oakland Raiders: The Return of (Khalil) Mack
One year ago, Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders enjoyed a great second season in the NFL. After a slow start to 2016, he’s back in stride.
There aren’t many times when you can say something positive about a player on a defense that ranks in the bottom of the league. But after a slow start, the defensive unit of the Oakland Raiders may finally be ready to help teammate Derek Carr and the Silver and Black attack.
Related Story: Picks, Predictions for Each Week 11 Game
And it’s one of the most talented defensive players in the league that may be just getting warmed up. Third-year pro Khalil Mack made history last season by being named All-Pro at two different positions (defensive end and outside linebacker). In 2015, he finished second in the league behind Houston’s J.J. Watt (17.5) with 15 sacks. He looked like an up-and-coming terror.
He’s beginning to look like that same kind of threat after a slow start this season. After totaling just one sack in the first five games, Mack is back with six sacks in his last four outings.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio knows a little something about intensity and loves what he sees in the talented defenders. In a recent interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, he sang the praises of the third-year pro.
“His motor is unbelievable,” said Del Rio. “The effort he gives every single play is second to none.”
In Pro Football Focus’ current ranking of edge defenders, Mack is currently tied with Super Bowl 50 MVP and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller with the top grade (90.3) in the league. The numbers are pretty amazing and also show, while the sacks weren’t coming early in the year, Mack was still putting on the heat. He’s racked up 42 tackles (nine for loss) and a team-high 16 quarterback hits. Add in two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery and it’s been a solid showing to date.
Still, this is a 7-2 Raiders club that has been pretty entertaining and a little too generous on the defensive side of the ball. All told, Oakland has scored an impressive 245 points while allowing a brisk 223 points. Del Rio’s squad has managed to total 28 touchdowns while giving up 25 end zone visits to the opposition.
More nfl spin zone: 2016 NFL Power Rankings Week 11: Cowboys No. 1
But now Mack is back—and so is the sack. With teammates such as defensive backs Reggie Nelson, Sean Smith, David Amerson and Karl Joseph, as well as linebackers Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith, this is a group that may be ready to emerge down the stretch. And in a division with that includes the 7-2 Kansas City Chiefs and 7-3 Denver Broncos, the Raiders will need all the help they can get from both sides of the football.