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Three key matchups to watch in Patriots battle with Raiders

By Fran Brown

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 02: AJ Dillon #28 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by Ja'Whaun Bentley #8 of the New England Patriots during a game at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Patriots 27-24 in overtime. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 02: AJ Dillon #28 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by Ja'Whaun Bentley #8 of the New England Patriots during a game at Lambeau Field on October 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Patriots 27-24 in overtime. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots on the field before the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots on the field before the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Key matchups for the Patriots in week fifteen
Patriots tackles vs. Maxx Crosby

If there’s a big reason why the Raiders are 5-8, it’s because their defense has not performed well at all. That’s despite Maxx Crosby having a monster season as a defensive end. The Raiders have struggled to get to the quarterback as they only have 25 sacks on the season; however, Crosby has 11.5 of those. Old friend Chandler Jones is second on the team with 4.5, but three came in one game. Sacks aside, Crosby is dominating in several ways as he leads the team with 73 tackles (almost unheard of from a defensive lineman), 19 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and 26 quarterback hits.

Crosby will be a tough matchup because the Patriots don’t have any good tackles at the moment. Isaiah Wynn was benched and is now injured. Yodny Cajuste is still limited while he nurses injuries to his back and his calf, and Trent Brown has been an unmitigated disaster the past few weeks. Brown now leads the NFL with 11 penalties and is tied for third with eight sacks allowed. At right tackle is Conor McDermott, who two weeks ago was on the Jets practice squad. The Patriots will need to provide extra attention Crosby’s way; otherwise, he can single-handedly turn the game.

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