X-Factors Identified on Defense for the Las Vegas Raiders

As the Las Vegas Raiders gear up for a critical stretch of the NFL season, their defense has emerged as a surprise strength—and much of that success can be attributed to a handful of “X-factors”: under-the-radar players who consistently exceed expectations and swing momentum in key moments. These aren’t just the team’s biggest stars (like Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby); they’re role players, rotational contributors, and young talents who’ve stepped up to fill gaps, disrupt opponents, and turn potential losses into wins. Identifying these X-factors has become a priority for head coach Antonio Pierce and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, as their ability to perform at a high level could determine whether the Raiders secure a playoff spot. X-Factors Identified on Defense for the Las Vegas Raiders breaks down these critical players, their impact on the defense, and why they’ve become indispensable to the team’s success.

X-Factors Identified on Defense for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with second-year linebacker Divine Deablo, whose versatility and playmaking have transformed the Raiders’ interior defense. After a quiet rookie season, Deablo has emerged as a Swiss Army knife for Graham’s scheme: he lines up as a traditional middle linebacker in run defense, shifts to slot cornerback in passing situations, and even rushes the passer on blitz packages. Through 14 games, Deablo has recorded 89 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass deflections—stats that put him among the league’s most productive “do-it-all” linebackers. His most impactful play came in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos, when he intercepted a Russell Wilson pass in the end zone with 2 minutes left to preserve a 17-13 win. “Divine is the kind of player who makes our defense flexible,” Graham said. “He can cover tight ends, stop the run, and pressure the quarterback—all in the same drive. That’s a rare skill set, and it lets us game-plan in ways other teams can’t.” Deablo’s rise has also 减轻了 the pressure on veteran linebackers Denzel Perryman, allowing Perryman to focus on his strengths as a run stopper while Deablo handles the more dynamic assignments.

Another key X-factor on the Raiders’ defense is safety Tre’von Moehrig, whose improved ball skills and decision-making have fixed a longstanding weakness in the secondary. After struggling with consistency in his first two seasons, Moehrig has found his rhythm in 2024, recording 4 interceptions (tied for the team lead) and 8 pass deflections. What makes Moehrig an X-factor is his ability to read quarterbacks and jump routes—often turning potential big gains for opponents into turnovers for the Raiders. In Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers, Moehrig picked off Aaron Rodgers on a deep pass intended for Christian Watson, then returned the interception 35 yards to set up a Raiders touchdown. “Tre’von has worked tirelessly on his film study,” defensive backs coach Tony Oden said. “He’s learning to anticipate routes instead of reacting to them, and that’s made all the difference. When he’s playing at this level, he shuts down the middle of the field, which forces quarterbacks to throw into tighter windows.” Moehrig’s performance has also allowed the Raiders to use more single-high safety looks, freeing up other defensive backs to play press coverage on the outside—a tweak that has reduced opposing passing yards by 18% since Week 8.

A critical part of X-Factors Identified on Defense for the Las Vegas Raiders is rotational defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, whose ability to generate interior pressure has complemented the Raiders’ edge rush and become a secret weapon for the Las Vegas Raiders. Nichols, a sixth-year veteran, doesn’t get the same attention as Crosby or rookie Byron Young, but he’s been equally impactful: he’s recorded 5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 7 tackles for loss while playing just 45% of the Raiders’ defensive snaps. His value lies in his timing—Nichols often enters the game in passing situations, where his quickness off the line can catch opposing offensive guards off guard. In Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Nichols sacked Justin Herbert twice in the fourth quarter, including a strip-sack that the Raiders recovered to seal a 24-17 win. “Bilal is a pro’s pro,” defensive line coach Matt Raich said. “He doesn’t care about stats or reps—he just wants to win. When we put him in on third downs, he knows his job is to get to the quarterback, and he almost always delivers. For the Las Vegas Raiders, having that kind of reliable interior pressure makes our entire pass rush more dangerous.” Nichols’ presence has also taken pressure off Young, allowing the rookie to focus on run defense in early downs while Nichols handles the pass-rushing duties in critical situations.

Another underrated X-factor for the Raiders’ defense is cornerback Amik Robertson, whose physicality and slot coverage have neutralized some of the league’s top slot receivers. At just 5-foot-9, Robertson was initially viewed as a backup, but he’s earned a starting role in the slot and has held his own against players like Tyreek Hill (Kansas City Chiefs) and Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams). This season, Robertson has allowed just 52% of passes thrown his way to be completed, and he’s recorded 2 interceptions and 6 pass deflections—impressive numbers for a player who faces elite competition every week. In Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, Robertson shadowed slot receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for most of the game, limiting Pittman to 3 catches for 28 yards (well below his season average of 6 catches for 65 yards). “Amik plays with a chip on his shoulder,” Oden said. “He knows people underestimate him because of his size, but he uses that as motivation. He’s physical at the line, he can stay with receivers on deep routes, and he’s not afraid to tackle. For the Las Vegas Raiders, having a shutdown slot corner lets us focus our other cornerbacks on the outside, which makes our entire secondary stronger.” Robertson’s performance has also been a bright spot in a secondary that was criticized for inconsistency early in the season.

Wrapping up X-Factors Identified on Defense for the Las Vegas Raiders is the collective impact of these X-factors—and how their contributions have turned the Raiders’ defense from a liability into a strength for the Las Vegas Raiders. Before the season, the Raiders’ defense was projected to rank near the bottom of the league in multiple categories, but with Deablo, Moehrig, Nichols, and Robertson stepping up, they’ve climbed to 11th in total defense, 9th in passing defense, and 14th in scoring defense. What makes these X-factors so valuable is their ability to perform in high-pressure moments—whether it’s Deablo’s game-saving interception, Moehrig’s route-jumping, Nichols’ third-down sacks, or Robertson’s slot coverage. “X-factors are what separate good teams from great teams,” Pierce said. “You can have stars, but you need those role players to step up when the game is on the line. For the Las Vegas Raiders, these guys have done that week in and week out. They don’t get the headlines, but they’re the reason we’re in the playoff hunt.” As the Raiders head into the final weeks of the season, the play of these X-factors will be even more critical—especially against tough AFC West opponents like the Chiefs and Chargers. X-Factors Identified on Defense for the Las Vegas Raiders ultimately shows that success on defense isn’t just about individual stars; it’s about the unsung heroes who make plays when it matters most—and the Raiders have plenty of those in 2024.