FOOTBALL
Josh McDaniels on blocked field goal: ‘If you can get one, man, does it change the game.’
Nov 21, 2022, 2:58 PM
| Updated: 5:35 pm
DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 20: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders and teammates react in the third quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on November 20, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby attacked the Denver Broncos every way he could Sunday.
He led the team with six total tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and a blocked field goal. That was his third career field goal block. The other two, funny enough, came against the Denver Broncos in 2020.
.@Raiders @CrosbyMaxx with this FG Block before the half! Their is only one #Condor in the #NFL. Their is no OT Raider win w/o this block. On this Thanksgiving Week; the #RaiderNation should be so thankful for #MaddMaxx. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/AqDfhJ65fe
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) November 21, 2022
On Monday, coach Josh McDaniels spoke about Crosby’s effort and how the team has been practicing punt and field goal blocks.
“The first time we started doing it in practice, the guys would close their eyes and look away, like something’s going to hit him in the face,” McDaniels said. “They’ve got a helmet on. And so, they’ve actually now gotten more comfortable doing the drills.
Following the block, the usually stoic coach pumped his fist in the air.
“I’m not sure there’s a play in football that creates that kind of energy. When you block a punt, when you block a field goal, I mean, it’s like a complete shift in the momentum,” McDaniels said. “And we know how big of a play it is, and if you actually get a punt block, that’s a huge one because now you have a chance to score. So, I think our team has completely bought into the effort that we need on those plays because it’s not easy to get them. It isn’t, I mean, there’s not that many blocked every week in the National Football League. But if you can get one, man, does it change the game. And I think our sideline actually reacted that way because we’ve actually talked about it. Like, ‘If we get one of these, you’re going to see it on the sideline.’ And it did.”
