This Chiefs player held Raiders’ Maxx Crosby to his worst game in years. Here’s how
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 27-20 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend didn’t proceed like many of the teams’ previous matchups.
That’s because Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby — a three-time Pro Bowler — had barely any impact while primarily lining up against Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor.
The official tally, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats: Crosby had no QB pressures in 41 pass-rush snaps — the first time he went pressure-less in a game since Week 9 of 2022. Taylor lined up against Crosby for 28 of those snaps, including 25 in one-on-one situations.
Crosby, in those instances, went 0-for-28 when attempting to pressure the QB.
Taylor said Thursday that word of his shutout had gotten around to him this week.
“I heard about it from a couple guys — not even just family, but the guys on the team and stuff,” Taylor told The Star. “So it’s pretty fun that I could hear about that.”
So what led to the successful day? Taylor said it started with what he felt was a strong week of practice in preparation for Crosby.
“Shout-out to him. He’s a phenomenal player. Definitely gave me a challenge all game,” Taylor said. “But I just tried to do my business.”
Taylor — overall — is on an uptick in the second year of a four-year contract with the Chiefs.
In his sixth NFL season, he has posted his best Pro Football Focus season grade in 2024. The most significant improvement has been his run blocking, where he moved from a 42.4 a season ago to a 67.0 this season (a 60 grade is considered average).
Taylor said the biggest reason for improvement there was working with offensive line coach Andy Heck on different blocking angles and techniques.
“I’ve just been trying to get better each week,” Taylor said, “and just trying to progress from there.”
Taylor’s biggest weakness remains difficult to miss. He led the NFL with 20 penalties last year, and this season he is tied for eighth with seven according to NFLPenalties.com; that total includes five false starts and two holding calls.
The 6-foot-5, 330-pound Taylor went without a flag against the Raiders, however, and his overall reduction in markoffs this year has meant the Chiefs are getting a more productive player.
“I feel like it’s picking up for me,” Taylor said. “I’m just trying to get better each week in my craft.”
Taylor, 26, initially signed a $60 million guaranteed deal with the Chiefs in 2023.
Now, 28 games into his KC career, Taylor says he feels great about his current situation.
“I love it here. I love the coaches. I love the system, the scheme and my teammates, of course,” Taylor said. “I’ve just been embracing it and just going every week.”
This story was originally published November 1, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
