In Week 9, the Las Vegas Raiders had their finest pass-rushing game of the season, sacking New York Giants quarterbacks eight times. Despite this, defensive end Maxx Crosby is the only player in the league with more than 2.0 sacks (9.5).
So far this season, Malcolm Koonce and Tyree Wilson have combined for 2.5 sacks. The Raiders are still in the playoff hunt, but they will need a more consistent pass rush if they are to make a run. According to Bleacher Report, the team should sign free agency defensive end Melvin Ingram.
“The Raiders may not be in the playoff picture, but they must field a competitive team under interim coach Antonio Pierce,” the B/R NFL Staff said in a November 6 piece. “That will be difficult with one of the league’s least productive pass rushers.” Maxx Crosby is a powerhouse, but Tyree Wilson is still developing as a rookie, and Chandler Jones was released earlier this season.
“Melvin Ingram showed he can still get after the quarterback last season when he had six sacks as a rotational player for the Miami Dolphins. The 34-year-old probably still has some juice left to improve the Raiders defense.”
Melvin Ingram Has Been Consistent Throughout Career
The Raiders should be extremely familiar with Melvin Ingram’s name. He played nine years with the Chargers before joining the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021. He’s played 16 games versus the Raiders and has 10.5 sacks in those contests.
Ingram is 34 years old and may be nearing the end of his career. He did, however, show last season that he can still generate some pass rush. With the Miami Dolphins, he produced 6.0 sacks and appeared in all 17 games. His body is not yet breaking down.
Ingram isn’t the Pro Bowler he was with the Chargers, but he’s been consistent and has six seasons with 6.0 sacks or more. With the trade deadline having past, Ingram may be one of the better players still available who can rush the passer. It would be worthwhile for the Raiders to invite him in for a workout.
Las Vegas Raiders Defense Gaining Swagger
In Week 9, the Raiders kept the Giants to six points, their best performance of the season. This season, the defence has looked considerably better than in previous seasons, ranking 15th in the NFL in yards per game allowed (330.9).
“I feel like the defence played as a whole,” Tyree Wilson said after the game, according to Raiders.com. “There were a lot of people out there making plays and a lot of people out there hungry for the win.” Our goal was to keep them out, and we came close.”
The Giants are now averaging 11.2 points a game, the lowest in the NFL. The club still needs to demonstrate its ability to shut down a good offence. Regardless, Maxx Crosby has high hopes for the defence coming season.
“It was a lot of fun. “We had a great time out there,” Crosby remarked. “You can sense it. The excitement was incredible, and we maintained it throughout the game. I believe this D-line crew is on to something amazing.”
