The Raiders have turned their defense into a real nightmare

The Las Vegas Raiders are off to a particularly strong start to the 2026 season, and much of their success is due to their defensive performance.

After two games, the Las Vegas team has a 2-0 record, and its opponents are already beginning to feel the pressure from its defensive line. (Yahoo Sports
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Notably, the Raiders have recorded eight quarterback sacks in their first two games, tying them for first in the NFL in that category. Five of those sacks came in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, with three more added against the Los Angeles Chargers. (Yahoo Sports
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This performance is all the more impressive given that Las Vegas didn't need to rely on frequent blitzes to generate pressure. The defensive line has been able to disrupt opposing quarterbacks on its own, allowing the linebackers and defensive backs to remain more available to fulfill their responsibilities.

Maxx Crosby and Pressure Coming from Every Direction

Maxx Crosby remains, of course, one of the key figures on this unit, but the Raiders' defensive performance extends far beyond their star player's individual contributions. Against the Chargers, Justin Herbert was sacked nine times by seven different defenders and completed just 55.6% of his passes for 192 yards. (Las Vegas Raiders
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Las Vegas has also forced five turnovers through two weeks, including two interceptions by rookie Hezekiah Masses in the win over Los Angeles. The Raiders also held the Dolphins to just 74 rushing yards in their season opener. (Las Vegas Raiders⁠
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The Raiders' defense will now need to maintain this pace as the team prepares to face the New Orleans Saints. After two wins, Las Vegas is allowing an average of just 13.5 points per game, placing it among the NFL's best defenses in that category. (Las Vegas Raiders⁠
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With an offense that produces enough to support this unit and a defense that consistently forces turnovers, the Raiders have already shown they can make life difficult for their opponents. The challenge now will be to replicate this effectiveness as the season progresses.

Created by humans, assisted by AI.