The Raiders got a huge win in Week 10 to keep their season alive. Antonio Pierce is 2-0 as the team’s interim head coach, giving this franchise life again.
It wasn’t a pretty win, but the Raiders were able to get the victory due to some outstanding performances on defense from players not named Maxx Crosby. Here are their five highest-grade players from Week 10, according to Pro Football Focus:
1. DT Jerry Tillery – 91.7
2. EDGE Malcolm Koonce – 91.0
3. LB Robert Spillane – 90.8
4. EDGE Maxx Crosby – 87.3
5. DT Adam Butler – 84.3
The name that jumps off the page here is Koonce, who recorded four pressures and a sack. He was near Zach Wilson all game long and appears to have made a giant leap in Year 3.
Over the last three games, he’s recorded nine pressures and two sacks. While he might not be an every-down defensive end, Koonce does appear to be an ascending player for the Raiders. His growth will be fun to watch over the season’s final seven games as the Raiders search for pass-rush help opposite Crosby.
