The Raiders defense used Maxx Crosby’s absence as a personal challenge in the win over the Browns

For the first time in five years, the Raiders defense took the field to start a game without Maxx Crosby. The last time this happened was October 2019, meaning there isn’t a player on this defense who has experienced it in a Raiders jersey. So it was definitely an unusual experience.

There was no choice in the matter. The Raiders had to find out. That goes for everything Crosby represents with this defense. Their emotional leader and keeps the Browns from doing to them what the Panthers did last week.

At the beginning, this film had a “we go again” feel. The Browns scored a touchdown on their first drive and led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. But you could tell by the second drive that the defense had figured things out. On the second drive they only gave up one first down and stopped the drive after that.

Then they went two quarters without giving up a point and then beat the Browns 20:16.

The defensive line led the way. That included Christian Wilkins, who had a sack and three QB hits.

Wilkins knew that overcoming this challenge would begin before he even stepped onto the field. It started in the locker room. And with Crosby out, it was Wilkins’ duty to be the emotional leader.

However, he didn’t have to do it alone. Adam Butler took it upon himself to speak to the team and also say some inspiring words.

Butler grew up in a military family, so he had a simple question for his teammates.

“While the bullets are flying, what are you willing to risk?” Butler asked. “I just popped the question in the air and made a deal with them. I said I won’t let you down if you don’t let me down. I’ll fly to the ball and you’ll fly to the ball. And we’ll come out victorious, and that’s exactly what we did.”

Butler held his own. He made several key stops and finished the game second in tackles (6), along with a tackle for loss and a QB hit.

In the end, it was one of those edge rushers assigned to replace Crosby that slammed the door on the Browns.

On the fourth and third, with the game still hanging in the balance, Deshaun Watson fled left, looking for a receiver or to take off and run for the first down. But Charles Snowden ensured that neither could happen. He chased Watson and sacked him to end the game.

Snowden said he and his fellow edge rushers viewed it as a personal challenge to step up in Crosby’s absence.

“We knew that none of us would become Maxx Crosby overnight,” Snowden said. “We knew that he would inspire the collective with his style of play, his energy and just his presence. Maxx always gets the guys going with his energy, so we knew we had to do this together.”

With three QB hits to go, his sack, a tackle for loss and a pass batted, Snowden tied for the team lead. Janarius Robinson shared a sack, Tyree Wilson had two QB hits and practice squad call-up K’Lavon Chaisson added four tackles.

Deshaun Watson was held to 176 yards with one touchdown and one interception on the day. For a moment it looked like he had a long touchdown to Amari Cooper, but a hold on Wilkins gave him just enough time to complete the pass, wiping it out.

And the collective effort of those who stepped up to fill the void left by Crosby’s absence was what ultimately secured the win.