There are a lot of players on Sunday for the Raiders that deserve a game ball. Brandon Parker performed admirably in place of Kolton Miller. Nelson Agholor caught another long touchdown and Isaiah Johnson made the play of the game, knocking the ball away from tight end Donald Parham with no time remaining on the clock.
However, the best player on the field in Week 9 was none other than defensive end Clelin Ferrell. For whatever reason, he saves his best performances of the season for the Chargers and was nearly unblockable again this week.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ferrell finished the game as the team’s highest-graded player as he totaled six pressures, four quarterback hits, three stops and two hurries. After nine weeks, he is the No. 16 rated defensive end in the NFL, ahead of the likes of Bradley Chubb, Josh Allen and Za’Darius Smith.
#Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell played 72% of the snaps against the #Chargers.
PFF overall: 81.8
Snaps: 57
Pass rush snaps: 38
Pass rush: 72.6
Total pressures: 6
Defensive stops: 3
Hits: 4
Hurries: 2— Anthony Galaviz (@agalaviz_TheBee) November 9, 2020
While Ferrell has yet to record a sack this season, he is able to impact the game in so many different ways. Justin Herbert never felt comfortable in the pocket on Sunday and it’s because the team’s two edge rushers dominated.
Ferrell might not be the flashiest defensive end in the NFL, but he is disruptive. His growth and improvement is a great sign for the long-term future of this defense.
