Raiders defense having ball literally at outset of NFL season
The ball belongs to the Raiders.At least that is how Rob Leonard wants his defense to see it.In the air.
Tucked against a running back’s ribs.Exposed for a split second as a receiver turns upfield.Every snap presents another opportunity to take possession of something the opposing offense is merely borrowing.And the Raiders are playing as if they want it back.That mentality is helping define a defense whose energy, physicality and relentless pursuit of turnovers have been instrumental in a 3-0 start as they welcome the Chiefs to Allegiant Stadium.Through three games, the Raiders lead the NFL with nine takeaways and are tied for fourth with 10 sacks.
They rank 11th in total defense, allowing 316.7 yards per game, but are surrendering the seventh-fewest points per game at 18. The aggression is producing the extra possessions and the quarterback disruption Leonard is demanding.Ask Maxx Crosby where the Raiders’ takeaway mentality begins and he points directly to Leonard.“It starts with Robbie.He trusts us as a group.
We emphasize every day in the building about taking the ball away.We continue to do that.
I think we had four in the second half.You continue to do that and you have a lot better chance of winning.”The numbers support him.The Raiders own an NFL-best plus-five turnover differential.
Last season, they managed 16 takeaways and finished minus-nine.They are already more than halfway to that takeaway total, with 14 games remaining.But the clearest illustration of Leonard’s influence came Sunday in New Orleans, where a defense that had struggled much of the afternoon to corral the Saints seized control of the outcome.The Raiders forced turnovers on the Saints’ final four possessions, helping turn an 11-point second-half deficit into a 35-27 victory.Four possessions.Four opportunities to change the game.Four times the Raiders took the ball.That is the standard Leonard is trying to establish.
And the way his players describe it, the pursuit begin...