Raiders' Maxx Crosby might not be recognized for dominance at year's end
It's unbelievable to think that in the year 2023, as we have seen the Las Vegas Raiders be one of the worst teams in the league during the first eight weeks of the season, they would have a guy who is considered by many to be the best defensive player in the league. Maxx Crosby […]
It's unbelievable to think that in the year 2023, as we have seen the Las Vegas Raiders be one of the worst teams in the league during the first eight weeks of the season, they would have a guy who is considered by many to be the best defensive player in the league. Maxx Crosby is that especially if you ask me or any other Raiders fan. He is a Raider, through and through.
Some people will argue that Nick Bosa, Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, or Micah Parsons is better. And everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, those opinions would be false. It's Maxx Crosby; the team's defense is the only thing holding him back in that conversation.
Every player I named, along with Crosby, has a better defense than the Raiders do. There is no question, and no one will argue that the Raiders are a great defense. They have had great moments, which has been awesome to watch, but they aren't great. They are a league-average defense at max, no pun intended, which is better than we predicted.
But, if you look at the Defensive Player of the Year Award, which is similar to the MVP, in terms of who is not only the best defensive player this year but who is the most valuable, it has to be Crosby. Not only would the Raiders have a bad defense if you take Crosby out, but they would have one of the worst defenses in the league, if not the worst. Okay, maybe they would be a bit above the Denver Broncos defense.
Look at what Crosby is doing with what he has around him. He has virtually nothing helping him, yet he goes berzerk weekly. He is the Defensive Player of the Year, and if the season ended today, he would get the majority of fans' votes.
The NFL on Fox Twitter, or X, account did a poll for fans to vote on all the midseason awards; if the season ended today, who would be the winner of that award? One other than the condor himself won the voting for DPOY. That makes sense; he should win it based on how we think it should be voted on.
If you know Maxx Crosby, then you know he doesn't care about the mid-season award. Yes, he likely does care about the actual DPOY award, but I'm sure he'd rather win the Super Bowl much more, as most guys would. As much as I hate to say it, Crosby likely won't win the DPOY because of the defense he is on. That is just how they vote.
Through his first nine games of the season, he ranks first in tackles for loss with 13, second in sacks with 9.5, and first in tackles among all defensive linemen with 56. Crosby is on another level and should be the DPOY if the season ends right now.
But he doesn't care about that tease.
Maxx Crosby describes what it means to play for the Raiders after dominant win
The Raiders play the Jets on Sunday Night Football.
