Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby has made a career instilling fear into opposing quarterbacks. In his eighth season, he has 71 career sacks. He really gets amped up to face Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whom he has sacked six times in his career. Both players have been complimentary of the other in the media leading up to the game as they share a mutual respect.
Bold prediction: Crosby records a sack. He lines up on the weak side where he’ll be going against undrafted rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson. Benson is filling in for starter Josh Simmons, who has yet to play this season due to a back injury. Benson’s 60.7 PFF grade ranks 51st of 70 tackles. His pass block grade of 46.2 ranks 66th, and his run block grade of 66.4 ranks 29th. Benson has played every snap on offense this season and has been flagged for two penalties. He has allowed nine pressures and five hits on the quarterback. With his pass protection results lacking, Crosby gets home.
The presence of Crosby will dictate what the Chiefs try to do on offense. They have already begun to use 12 formation, which aligns two tight ends on the line to help in blocking. They’ve also run play action a lot and utilized running back screen plays to limit the pressure on Mahomes, who is still just 10 months from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his knee.
Running back Kenneth Walker III might be the Offensive Player of the Year through three games. He has rushed 65 times for a league-leading 360 yards and two touchdowns. It’s what he has done in the receiving game that has really taken his game to the next level. The Super Bowl MVP has 11 catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
Bold prediction: Walker secures four receptions. In Week 1, against last-season’s sack leaders in the Denver Broncos, he had three catches on six targets. In Week 2, he had six catches against the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 3, against the Miami Dolphins, who don’t have a sack on the season, he had just two grabs. Walker will be Mahomes’ safety net and be deployed on screens to neutralize Crosby and the pass rush.
