Silver And Black Pride
Just four games into the 2025 campaign, the Las Vegas Raiders dug themselves into quite the turnover-takeaway hole at 10 giveaways while taking the ball away from the opposition just four meager times.
In that timeframe, there were three- and four-turnover outings in Week 2 and Week 4 losses to the Los Angeles Chargers (20-9) and Chicago Bears (25-24), respectively.
Since then, however, the Raiders staunched the bleeding.
That turnover/takeaway ratio now sits at 14-10, thanks in large part to single-digit giveaways since Week 5. While the Silver & Black’s overall record is still basura at 2-7 overall, quelling costly turnovers — especially for a Las Vegas squad that has to play perfect or close to it due to inconsistency and ineffectiveness, as evidenced by scoring less than 10 points four times this year — keeping possession while creating sudden change with takeaways is mission critical for the back half of the season.
Just last week, cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly’s pair of interceptions off quarterback Bo Nix helped the Raiders stonewall the Denver Broncos offense, and although the end result was a 10-7 road loss, it showed how competitive and how sweaty the Silver & Black can render the opposition. A tale as old as time, really: The team that doesn’t cough up the ball while taking it away from the opponent tends to win ballgames.
“It’s great. Again, youth, experience, it’s how they perform on Sundays and Thursdays and this week, Monday. It’s how they perform. So again, whether they’re a rookie or 10-year vet, it’s how you perform ,” Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said when asked about Kelly’s two interceptions and how encouraging it is to see younger players starting to develop. “And these guys, for their whole lives, they’ve seized the opportunity in different stages of their career. I was happy to see him go get the ball and seize the moment, and then to get two that was pretty impressive.
“But we have a tough task ahead of us with Dallas, really good quarterback, one of the best in the league. Skill group’s outstanding. So, every week is a reset. Luckily, we get a few extra days this week.”
Kelly is one of two Las Vegas defenders with multiple takeaways as safety Isaiah Pola-Mao also has two interceptions on the season. Linebacker Devin White has an interception and forced fumble that was recovered by a teammate. And edge rusher Maxx Crosby also has a pick. Defensive tackles Thomas Booker and Adam Butler each have a fumble recovery as does defensive end Tyree Wilson.
Graham made it abundantly clear what he wants to see from his defense from here on in: “Again, Sunday, want the wins than losses, and that’s the most important thing,” he said. “I’m real proud of the process in terms of how those guys went through the week. And they saw some success out there on the field. We just got to win. That’s what we got to do....
