The visible frustration from Maxx Crosby as the Denver Broncos converted third downs is common place for the Silver & Black.

When the Las Vegas Raiders energetic defensive end — who rarely leaves the field, by the way — lifts his arms up as the defense as a whole is ran ragged as it can get off the field on third downs, that has a definite trickle down effect. More and more we’re seeing other defenders with the same gestures and body language.

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For Crosby though — a Raider defender that’s played in 100 percent of the defensive snaps the last three games — frustration is warranted. He doesn’t come off the field and didn’t practice much leading into the matchup with Denver. And as Las Vegas preps for a trip to face the Philadelphia Eagles, Crosby is again ailing with what head coach Pete Carroll noted as knee soreness.

“Yeah, we’re going to keep it quiet. He still has kind of a nagging concern with his knee sore, and so it’s not damaged hurt,” Carroll said during his media availability on Wednesday. “It’s just sore, and as you all know, when he plays, he bangs it as hard as he can in all aspects. And so, he wants a day here, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

For as good as Crosby is, though, he can’t do it alone.

In Las Vegas’ Week 14 loss this past Sunday, the Denver Broncos engaged in old-school keep away converting seven of their 12 third-down attempts. That helped AFC West-leading Denver notch a 39:03 time of possession compared to Las Vegas’ paltry 20:57 with the ball. The week before that, the Raiders defense was electrocuted by the Los Angeles Chargers as the Bolts went 12 of 17 on third down attempts, nearly doubling up the Silver & Black with 22 first downs to Las Vegas’ 12. (For point of reference, Denver produced 27 first downs to Las Vegas’ 16).

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Offensively, in the most recent two-game span, the Raiders went 3 of 9 on third downs against the Broncos and 2 of 8 against the Chargers.

One has to go back to Week 11 and 12 to find respectable defensive third-down performances for the Silver & Black.

Matched up against the high-octane Dallas Cowboys offense in Week 11, the Raiders limited Big D to just 3 of 12 on third downs. And the following week, Las Vegas held the Cleveland Browns to 4 0f 17 on third downs. So it’s been quite a Jekyll & Hyde two-game switch for Patrick Graham’s defense, which leaves Las Vegas near the bottom of the league rankings.

By The Numbers
Las Vegas Raiders Third Down Conversions

Offense: 158 attempts, 56 conversions, 35.4 percent, 26th in the league

Defense: 171 attempts, 80 conversions, 46.8 percent, 30th in the league

While there isn’t a quick fix to the Raiders woes on third down both defensively and offensively, there are some fundamental things the team can do to improve.

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Defensively, Las Vegas must find a way to stop whiffing on tackles. Against the Broncos, Pro Football Reference charted the Raiders with five missed tackles. Rookie cornerback Darien Porter was tagged with two while linebackers Elandon Robert and Jamal Adams, and safety Isaiah Pola-Maowhere charted with one, apiece.

That sum of five was a marked improvement from Las Vegas’ outing against Los Angeles two weeks ago.

Pro Football Reference tagged the Raiders with a whopping 16 whiffs with linebacker Devin White and safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. leading the way with three, each. Defensive ends Tyree Wilson and Crosby were charted with two.

Textbook tackling hasn’t been a Raider trait the last two seasons as the team currently has 106, good forth 29th best tackling group of the 32 teams. In 2024, the Raiders missed 134 tackles, good for 30th best.

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In Graham’s four seasons as defensive boss, the least amount of tackles the team has missed under his charge was his first year, 2022, where there were only 69 whiffs, good for 15th best.

Offensively, interim offensive coordinator Greg Olson must orchestrate a game plan that puts the team in third-and-manageable situations. Shoot, even a 3rd-and-8 is more akin to third-and-long. Regardless if it’s Geno Smith (didn’t practice this week due to shoulder ailment) or Kenny Pickett at quarterback, getting out of the pocket while keeping eyes downfield for throws will be vital against an Eagles pass rush that dropped Chargers’ signal caller Justin Herbert seven times this past Monday night.

As is getting a ground game with rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and an aerial attack by tight end Brock Bowers. Giving Jeanty plenty of totes while moving Bowers across the formation is key. As are quick passes then attacking the intermediate and deep routes — and this includes Jeanty out of the backfield as a receiver.

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That’s going to be easier said than done for the Raiders as they’ll battle the Vic Fangio Eagles defense that is ranked 9th in points allowed (271 total) but 22nd in yards yielded (4,441). Philadelphia is susceptible to productive run game though, ranking 26th in yards allowed (1,716) and 21st in rushing touchdowns given up (14). Las Vegas’ offense is dead last in points scored (196 total), rushing yards (945) and rushing touchdowns (four), though.

Quotes of Note

“There’s nothing much we can do. We just have to be mentally right for it, and we got to take care of business as always, and when you get those kinds of — if it is an adverse situation, we just got to deal with it and do our stuff right as best we can. They have to do the same thing.”

—Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll when asked if there’s a way to prepare for weather as the team reps for the trip to Philadelphia.

“Yeah, just continuing to work. I mean, there were times where he’s played more, times where he’s played less. He’s been working on special teams, been working as a receiver, getting better each and every single week. Last week, he had a great week of practice. I’ve seen him work really hard, so it was no surprise that he had a great game.”

—Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty on fellow rookie wide receiver Jack Bech’s progression in Year 1.