Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders
- Las Vegas Raiders
- 11/29/2025 11:59:10 PM
The Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive resurgence in the 2025 NFL season has earned national recognition, with defensive end Maxx Crosby named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December—a honor that caps off a dominant stretch for the team’s defensive leader. Crosby’s selection marks the first time a Raiders defensive player has won the monthly award since 2020, and it comes at a critical moment as the team fights for a playoff spot. Over December’s three games, Crosby recorded 5 sacks, 12 tackles (4 for loss), 8 quarterback pressures, and a forced fumble—numbers that not only led the AFC but also helped the Raiders hold opponents to just 17 points per game during the stretch. Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders explores the impact of Crosby’s award, his journey to becoming one of the league’s top defenders, and how his leadership has elevated the entire Raiders defense. For a franchise that has struggled to find consistent defensive dominance in recent years, Crosby’s honor is more than just individual recognition—it’s a sign that the Raiders’ defensive rebuild is finally paying off.
Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders begins with a breakdown of Crosby’s award-winning December performance, which included defining moments in each of the Raiders’ three games. In Week 14 against the New England Patriots, he sacked quarterback Mac Jones twice in the fourth quarter—including a critical stop on third-and-10 that forced a Patriots punt and set up the Raiders’ game-winning field goal. The following week, against the Houston Texans, Crosby recorded 1.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble that defensive tackle Bilal Nichols recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. His most dominant game came in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos, where he tallied 2 sacks, 5 quarterback pressures, and held Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles to zero pancake blocks—marking the first time Bolles had been shut out all season. “Maxx wasn’t just playing football in December—he was dominating every snap,” Raiders defensive line coach Rob Leonard said. “He’s the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. When he’s rushing the passer like that, it opens up opportunities for our other defenders to make plays.” Crosby’s performance also drew praise from opponents, with Broncos head coach Sean Payton calling him “one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the league right now.”
A deeper look at Crosby’s season-long impact, highlighted in Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders, reveals why this award is more than just a monthly achievement—it’s the culmination of a career-best year. Through 16 games, Crosby has recorded 16 sacks (tied for third in the NFL), 45 tackles (12 for loss), 32 quarterback pressures, and 3 forced fumbles—all career highs. What sets his 2025 season apart, however, is his consistency: he has recorded at least one sack in 10 of the Raiders’ 16 games, and he’s the only defender in the NFL to have multiple sacks in four different months. Beyond the stats, Crosby has emerged as the Raiders’ defensive leader, hosting weekly film sessions for the defensive line, mentoring rookie edge rusher Thayer Munford Jr., and delivering pre-game speeches that have become a team tradition. “Maxx isn’t just a great player—he’s a great leader,” Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels said. “He holds himself and his teammates to the highest standard, and that’s contagious. This award is a testament to his work ethic, his talent, and his commitment to this team.”
Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders also delves into the reaction from the Raiders organization and fan base, which has embraced Crosby as a franchise cornerstone. The Raiders posted a tribute video on social media featuring highlights from his December games, which garnered over 500,000 views in 24 hours. At the team’s Week 17 practice, players and coaches presented Crosby with a custom jersey emblazoned with “AFC Defensive Player of the Month” on the back, and fans gathered outside the practice facility to cheer for him as he left. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority even displayed a billboard in downtown Las Vegas featuring Crosby’s image and the message “Las Vegas’ Defensive Star.” For the Las Vegas Raiders, Crosby’s honor has become a unifying moment—rallying fans and players alike as the team heads into the final stretch of the season. “Maxx represents everything we want this franchise to be—tough, hardworking, and committed to winning,” Raiders general manager Trent Baalke said. “Seeing him get recognized like this makes the entire organization proud. He’s a Raider through and through.”
Another angle of Crosby’s award, explored in Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders, is its impact on the Raiders’ defensive scheme and future. Crosby’s ability to consistently win one-on-one matchups has allowed defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to experiment with more aggressive packages—like blitzing from multiple angles or dropping linebackers into coverage—knowing Crosby can draw extra attention from opposing offensive lines. This flexibility has made the Raiders’ defense more unpredictable: over the last month, they’ve alternated between a 4-3 and 3-4 alignment, confusing quarterbacks and leading to more turnovers. Looking ahead, Crosby’s award solidifies his status as a long-term building block for the Raiders, who signed him to a four-year contract extension in 2023. With Crosby leading the way, the Raiders plan to invest in complementary pieces—like a shutdown cornerback or pass-rushing defensive tackle—to make the defense even more dominant next season. For the Las Vegas Raiders, Crosby’s honor isn’t just a reward for this season—it’s a foundation for future success. “Having a player like Maxx gives us a head start on building a championship-caliber defense,” Graham said. “He’s the anchor, and now we can build around him. This award is just the beginning.”
Looking at the broader NFL context, Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders notes that Crosby’s selection is a sign of the Raiders’ growing respect within the league. For years, the Raiders were seen as a team with offensive talent but defensive flaws, but Crosby’s rise—along with the development of players like Nichols and cornerback Nate Hobbs—has changed that narrative. This season, the Raiders rank 8th in the NFL in total defense and 6th in sacks, marking their highest rankings in both categories since 2016. Crosby’s award also puts him in contention for Defensive Player of the Year, an honor that would be the first for a Raiders player since Charles Woodson in 2009. For the Las Vegas Raiders, this shift in perception is just as important as the team’s win-loss record. “Being recognized by the league means people are starting to take us seriously,” Crosby said in an interview with NFL Network. “We’re not just a team that can score points—we can stop teams from scoring too. That’s the kind of balance you need to win championships.”
Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders concludes with a reflection on what Crosby’s honor means for the Raiders’ present and future. For the current team, it’s a morale boost as they fight for a playoff spot—proof that their hard work on defense is being seen by the league. For the franchise, it’s a validation of their defensive rebuild, which began with drafting Crosby in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has continued with strategic free-agent signings and draft picks. For fans, it’s a reason to celebrate—a chance to cheer for a player who embodies the Raiders’ tough, competitive spirit. As Crosby himself put it: “This award isn’t just for me—it’s for my teammates, my coaches, and the fans who support us every week. We’re building something special here in Las Vegas, and this is just one step along the way.” In the end, Defensive Standout Honored in AFC for the Las Vegas Raiders is more than a story about an individual award—it’s a story about a team finding its identity, a player reaching his potential, and a fan base finally getting the defensive hero they’ve been waiting for.