Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers

In the fiercely competitive AFC West, few individual matchups carry as much weight as Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby going head-to-head with the Los Angeles Chargers. Crosby, a two-time Pro Bowler and the Raiders’ defensive heartbeat, isn’t just a pass-rusher—he’s a game-changer, capable of disrupting an offense’s entire game plan with his speed, strength, and relentless motor. When he lines up against the Chargers, the stakes rise even higher: this is a divisional rivalry, where every sack, tackle, and forced fumble can swing the game—and the playoff race—in either team’s favor. For the Raiders, Crosby’s performance against the Chargers is often a barometer of their defensive success; for the Chargers, slowing him down is a top priority, requiring creative blocking schemes and constant attention. Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers explores the buildup to this pivotal matchup, the key moments on the field, and how Crosby’s play shaped the Raiders’ Week 15 showdown with their divisional foes.

Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers begins with the context of Crosby’s dominance heading into the game—and why the Chargers viewed stopping him as a make-or-break task. Entering Week 15, Crosby led the Raiders with 12 sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top edge rushers. His ability to win one-on-one matchups had terrorized opposing offensive lines all season, and the Chargers knew they couldn’t afford to let him run free against quarterback Justin Herbert. Herbert, who had been sacked 28 times in 14 games, relies on time in the pocket to connect with his playmakers like Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler—time Crosby was determined to take away. “Maxx Crosby is the best pass-rusher we’ll face all season,” Chargers head coach Brandon Staley admitted in a pre-game press conference. “He doesn’t just rush the passer—he disrupts everything. We have to have a plan for him on every play, or he’ll take over the game.” The Chargers’ plan? To use a mix of double teams, chip blocks from tight ends, and quick passes to limit Crosby’s impact. For Crosby, though, the challenge only fueled his intensity: “I love this rivalry,” he said. “The Chargers have a good offense, but I’m coming to make plays. They can scheme all they want—I’m going to find a way to get to Herbert.”

Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers highlights the first-half showdown between Crosby and the Chargers’ offensive line—where Crosby wasted no time making his presence felt. On the Chargers’ opening drive, Crosby lined up against right tackle Jamaree Salyer (who had impressed in his recent start against the Broncos) and wasted just three seconds: he used a quick inside move to beat Salyer, forcing Herbert to scramble and throw an incomplete pass. Two plays later, Crosby struck again: this time, he fought through a chip block from tight end Gerald Everett, then bull-rushed Salyer back into Herbert’s lap, sacking him for a 7-yard loss and forcing the Chargers to punt. The Raiders’ sideline erupted, and Crosby celebrated by slamming his helmet and yelling, “Let’s go!”—a sign that he was just getting started. Later in the second quarter, the Chargers tried a different approach, shifting Salyer to the left and putting backup tackle Trey Pipkins III (returning from a knee sprain) on Crosby. The adjustment didn’t work: Crosby beat Pipkins with a speed rush off the edge, nearly forcing a fumble as Herbert tried to escape. By halftime, Crosby had recorded two tackles, one sack, and three quarterback hits—already exceeding the Chargers’ pre-game goal of limiting him to one tackle. “He’s playing at a different level,” Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said at halftime. “We knew he’d be ready for this rivalry, but this is special.”

Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers delves into how Crosby’s dominance forced the Los Angeles Chargers to abandon their game plan—and how that shift ultimately hurt their offense. Trailing 17-10 at halftime, the Chargers came out in the third quarter determined to slow Crosby, but their efforts came at a cost. To keep Crosby contained, they began using two blockers on him on nearly every play—freeing up other Raiders defenders to make plays. On one drive, the Chargers double-teamed Crosby with Salyer and Everett, leaving Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo unblocked; Deablo promptly intercepted Herbert’s pass, setting up a Raiders touchdown that extended their lead to 24-10. On another play, the Chargers shifted a guard to help block Crosby, creating a gap in the middle of the line that Raiders defensive tackle Bilal Nichols exploited for a 5-yard tackle for loss on Ekeler. “We were so focused on Maxx that we forgot about the rest of their defense,” Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said after the game. “That’s the danger of playing against a player like him—he forces you to make compromises, and those compromises open up other holes. For the Los Angeles Chargers, that’s a lesson we’ll have to learn quickly if we want to beat teams with elite pass-rushers.” Even when the Chargers did manage to slow Crosby down in the fourth quarter, the damage was done: the Raiders’ defense had already seized control, and the Chargers couldn’t mount a comeback.

Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers explores the defining play of the game—Crosby’s late-third-quarter sack that all but sealed the Raiders’ victory—and how it encapsulated his impact on the Los Angeles Chargers. With the Chargers trailing 24-13 and driving into Raiders territory, Herbert dropped back to pass on third-and-10, looking to connect with Allen for a big gain. Crosby, lined up against Pipkins, didn’t waste time: he used a spin move to beat Pipkins, then closed in on Herbert in less than two seconds. As Herbert tried to step up in the pocket, Crosby wrapped him up, slamming him to the ground for a 9-yard sack that pushed the Chargers back to their own 35-yard line. The play forced the Chargers to punt, and the Raiders went on to score another touchdown on their next drive, extending their lead to 31-13. “That sack was the moment we knew we had the game,” Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig said. “Maxx didn’t just get a sack—he took the life out of their offense. Herbert looked shaken, and their line looked defeated. For the Los Angeles Chargers, that play was a turning point they couldn’t come back from.” After the game, Crosby downplayed his individual success, instead crediting his teammates: “This isn’t about me—it’s about the defense working together,” he said. “But yeah, it feels good to come out here and beat a divisional rival. The Chargers are a good team, but we wanted this one more.”

Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers concludes with the aftermath of the game—how Crosby’s performance impacted both teams’ playoff hopes, and what it means for future matchups between the Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders’ 31-17 win improved their record to 8-7, keeping them in the hunt for a wild-card spot, while the Chargers fell to 7-8, putting their playoff aspirations in jeopardy. For Crosby, the game was a statement: he finished with three sacks, five quarterback hits, and four tackles, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts. For the Chargers, the loss exposed a critical flaw: their inability to slow elite pass-rushers, a problem that could haunt them if they do manage to sneak into the playoffs. “We have to figure out how to stop guys like Maxx Crosby,” Staley said. “This isn’t a one-time issue—it’s something we need to fix in the off-season. Until we do, we’ll struggle against the league’s top defenses.” For fans of both teams, the matchup was a reminder of why this rivalry matters: it’s not just about football—it’s about pride, and about players like Crosby rising to the occasion when the stakes are highest. As the Raiders and Chargers look ahead to next season, one thing is clear: whenever Maxx Crosby lines up against the Los Angeles Chargers, it’s must-see football. In the end, Maxx Crosby Faces Off Against the Los Angeles Chargers is a story of dominance, rivalry, and the power of one player to change the course of a game—and a season.