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Raiders News: Yannick Ngakoue Makes Bold Claim About Raiders' Pass-Rush

By Devon Platana

Las Vegas Raiders DE Yannick Ngakoue reveals that he has huge expectation for the team's pass rush unit in the 2021 NFL season.
Las Vegas Raiders DE Yannick Ngakoue reveals that he has huge expectation for the team's pass rush unit in the 2021 NFL season. / Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
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Even though the Las Vegas Raiders have three Super Bowl victories in the history books, the organization has only qualified for the playoffs once in the last 18 seasons. If the Raiders are going to make it back to the 2021 NFL playoffs, they're going to have to look better than they have in a long time — especially when it comes to their defense. Las Vegas allowed 29.9 points per game in 2020, ranking them near the bottom of the league in that category (30th).

Fortunately, one of the team's newcomers on defense is confident that at least the pass rush unit will look a lot better in 2021.

Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who joined the team via free agency in March, has huge expectations for the Raiders' pass rush unit next season. The former Pro-Bowler is expecting that he and DE Maxx Crosby will be difference-makers in 2021.

Las Vegas Raiders News

The Athletic's Vic Tafur reported on Wednesday that Ngakoue said that he and Crosby "are the best duo in the league." Whether or not this is true remains to be seen. However, Raiders fans should love the 26-year-old EDGE rusher's optimism.

Considering how the Raiders will be paying him $26 million over the next two seasons, Ngakoue should play like a difference-maker next season. He suited up in 15 games between the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens last season, recording 23 total tackles, 8.0 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.

Meanwhile, Crosby was a stud for the Raiders in his second NFL season, finishing with 39 total tackles, 7.0 sacks and a fumble recovery. When you look at both of their stats together, you can understand why Ngakoue has high expectations for himself and Crosby next season.

FanDuel Sportsbook is projecting that the Raiders will miss next season's playoffs at +350 odds. Meanwhile, their Super Bowl odds aren't that much better as they currently sit at +7500 (26th). Needless to say, Ngakoue and Crosby have a lot of work ahead of them.

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