The 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders are reeling after five straight losses, including a 41-24 setback to the Bengals in Cincinnati last week. The Raiders’ defense had no answer for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw five touchdown passes, matching a career high. Maxx Crosby, the Raiders’ standout pass rusher, registered three quarterback hits in an attempt to slow Burrow, but it wasn’t enough.
In the second quarter, Crosby hit Burrow after the play had been whistled dead, leading to helmet-to-helmet contact. Despite the hit, both players showed respect toward one another afterward. On Saturday, the NFL fined Crosby $11,255 for unnecessary roughness, marking his eighth fine in six seasons and his second for similar behavior this year. Since 2019, Crosby has been fined over $130,000.
Despite the Raiders’ struggles and their defense, which ranks fourth-worst in the NFL allowing 27.9 points per game, Crosby has continued to be a force against opposing quarterbacks. In eight games this season, the 27-year-old has accumulated 6.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 29 tackles, and four pass breakups.