Andy Reid wary of upcoming Maxx Crosby challenge amid Patrick Mahomes’ individual struggles this season
Andy Reid and the Chiefs may be the kings of the AFC right now, but they will perhaps face their biggest test on Sunday against a healthy Maxx Crosby's Raiders.
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Maxx Crosby and Andy Reid (mage via IMAGO/ YouTube)
Maxx Crosby always brings his A-game against the best teams. The Raiders will need him to be at his best when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.
The Raiders were the last team to beat the Chiefs, which was back on Christmas Day last year. Since then, Andy Reid’s team has gone on to win the AFC title, and the Super Bowl, and is unbeaten after seven weeks of football in 2024.
The Raiders, on the other hand, are languishing in the lower echelons of the AFC with just two wins. Regardless of their form, coach Reid isn’t ready to underestimate the Raiders team, especially with Maxx Crosby still starting for them.
He’s one of the best in the business at what he does. He’s gonna give you an honest down, every down. He doesn’t take plays off. Our guys know that and respect the heck out of him.
Andy Reid said during Wednesday’s presser (HT/Jordan Foote of SI)
Andy Reid on #Raiders DE Maxx Crosby:
— Jordan Foote (@footenoted) October 23, 2024
"He's one of the best in the business at what he does. He's gonna give you an honest down every down. He doesn't take plays off. Our guys know that and respect the heck out of him."
Raiders and Chiefs have played each other eight times since Crosby was drafted, winning only on two occasions. Yet, individually, he has tormented Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes every time. Crosby lodged 22 combined tackles and five sacks, forcing 44 yards in the process.
You have to know where he’s at every snap. . . he keeps playing extremely hard every single snap.
Patrick Mahomes on Maxx Crosby said via Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on Raiders DE Maxx Crosby: "You have to know where he's at every snap. . . he keeps playing extremely hard every single snap. . ."
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) October 23, 2024
Maxx Crosby revealed he almost missed Chiefs game last season
Besides being an A-lister on the Raiders roster, Crosby, 27, receives a lot of praise for playing every game since making his debut in the NFL. In fact, he has never missed a football game in high school or in college because of injury.
However, he did come close to missing the Chiefs fixture last year. During an episode of The Rush Podcast with former eight-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick, Crosby made a shocking revelation. He had to check into the hospital due to a bad knee, and the situation got worse.
I am in the hospital, in surgery, getting my knee, had tubes through my knee, and had to get my whole knee drained and fluid put through it. Because if it gets in my bloodstream [that infection], there was a possibility I could lose my life, and it’s not even exaggerating.
Maxx Crosby told Bill Belichick
This is crazy: #Raiders DE Maxx Crosby’s knee was so swollen that he had to go to the hospital BEFORE their game against the #Chiefs…
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) November 28, 2023
“The shit was blown up like a balloon. I felt like I was dying. Like, I could not move.
He still ended up playing and even getting a sack on… pic.twitter.com/JSGxl96Oil
The All-Pro edge rusher eventually missed his first-ever NFL game when the Raiders put him on IR because of a bad ankle issue. An anxious Crosby watched from his home as the Raiders defeated the Browns 20-16.
He returned to play the following three fixtures against the Broncos, Steelers, and Rams, but suffered defeat in all of them.
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Ishan Misra
(3023 Articles Published)