Raiders Defense Rises to Occasion in Prime Time Victory

The Las Vegas Raiders' defense stepped up to the challenge time and time again, leading the team to a thrilling 17-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

The Las Vegas Raiders have played relatively well all season. Still, entering Monday night's game against the Green Bay Packers, their improved play overshadowed the team's overall performance.

The Raiders defense gave up only three points from the second half of last week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers through the first half of their game against the Green Bay Packers. 

Those four quarters showed precisely what Las Vegas' defense can do when playing some of its best football. 

On Monday night against the Packers, the Raiders had, hands down, their best game of the season, if not their best game in recent memory. Las Vegas held Jordan Love to a 32.2 quarterback rating on Monday night, a week after holding Justin Herbert to the lowest passing total of his career.

They intercepted three passes by Love after entering the game with only one turnover all season. 

Two of those interceptions came from linebacker Robert Spillane, who had only one interception in his career. He was also second on the team with nine tackles against the Packers.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby had five tackles, including a sack. Of those five tackles, four were tackles-for-losses. Crosby made his presence felt all game, even on plays where he wasn't credited with a stat. 

What was most impressive about the performance of the Raiders' defense was how it battled through adversity during a highly competitive game. There were multiple times the Raiders' defense bent but didn't break.

The only touchdown given up by the Raiders defense came after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw an interception in the third quarter and gave the Packers the ball at the Las Vegas 37-yard line.

Other than that drive, Las Vegas' defense has given up six points in the last six quarters. No matter how you slice it, that is an improvement from last season.

It will be up to Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham to continue to get the most out of the defense. So far, you must tip your hat to what Graham has done. 

If the Raiders' offense can continue to improve, or at the very least cut down on the turnovers, the defense can continue to play, as it has all season. 

The Silver and Black will stay home at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas next week to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT.

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