Maxx Crosby was happy to let the Baltimore Ravens know they’d be the team to drop to 0-2 to the start of the 2024 season after the Las Vegas Raiders pulled off a 26-23 upset on the road. The Raiders looked like a much different team than the one that fell 22-10 to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1.
The Las Vegas Raiders wanted to keep Lamar Jackson in check
Before the game, head coach Antonio Pierce knew the defense had to focus on keeping quarterback Lamar Jackson in front of them.
“You see Lamar, he has the ability to slither his way out of it. It’s very difficult,” Pierce said. “The second-level defenders and your DBs, they’re 12 to 14 yards deep, and all of a sudden he steps up in the A and B gap, and what do you do? Do you stay back in coverage or do you go attack the quarterback? It’s really critical up front that we’re detailed and do our job. … Everybody’s eyes have got to be on (No.) 8.”
The Raiders were able to keep the 2023 NFL MVP in check for most of the contest on Sunday.
Jackson would finish 21/34 passing for 247 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He added 45 yards on the ground.
The Raiders defense kept the Ravens to two touchdowns, and that was the key to winning on Sunday. The Raiders knew coming into the game that Crosby’s skills would be key to stopping the Ravens.
Maxx Crosby gets emotional after the win
Crosby was amped after the Raiders win. According to Tashan Reed with The Athletic, Crosby let out a range of emotions when he came out of the locker room postgame:
A shirtless Maxx Crosby hugged #Raiders owner Mark Davis after coming out of the locker room. While walking to an interview, the defensive end started talking to himself.
“Let ‘em talk that s—,” Crosby said. “We gon’ back it up. We gon’ back it up. Let’s f——go!”
Crosby had an elite performance against the Ravens. He finished with six tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks.
The Raiders will play the 0-2 Carolina Panthers next week.
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