The Las Vegas Raiders are 3-0 and a big reason why is because of timely defense.
Creating turnovers has been a calling card of the Raiders’ defense in the early days under new defensive coordinator Rod Leonard. Las Vegas leads the NFL with nine takeaways and they have had had multiple takeaways in all three games (including four in the fourth quarter at New Orleans in Week 3). Free-agent addition, linebacker Nakobe Dean, sealed the win in the past wo games with forced fumbles. The Raiders likely wouldn’t
have won at New Orleans if it hadn’t been for the late takeaway frenzy.
“We don’t win the game without those four turnovers in the fourth quarter,” Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak said this week. “That was impressive how they kept getting the ball back for us on offense, and it just really changed the whole game. And again, that’s a big part of winning and losing, is protecting the ball and taking the ball away.”
Kubiak credits Leonard and the entire defensive coaching staff for leading the charge on that side of the ball.
“I think just the whole staff; the whole defensive staff are doing a great job getting on the
same page with each other,“ Kubiak said. ” nd nothing was perfect yesterday but found a way to get it done. Great
communication on the sideline, and just a credit to the players for finishing the game four turnovers,
that was the game right there.”
Kubiak also praised the desire of the players to respond when the team most needs it.
“Well, I think that the number one thing is you don’t really get to find out about somebody
until the chips are down and their back’s against the wall,“ Kubiak said. ”:So, our backs were against the wall (Sunday), down two scores. So, we found out a lot about guys’ resilience and toughness because everything’s fine if you’re up two scores at the end of the game. But what do you do when you’re down two scores?”
