Kazu2324
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SBNation tried to quantify the actual impact of Mack on the Bears using their EPA metric. Pretty interesting stuff, though not like super in-depth. I like their comparison with the Raiders' D after showing Mack's impact.
Rest of the article
Here's the Raiders' bit since it made me happy to read
Play 1: 27-yard pick-six against the PackersDown & Distance: third-and-19
Location: Packers’ 30-yard line
EPA Difference: -6.11
The Packers were just trying to escape what had turned into a disastrous drive in Week 1. It was third-and-19 on their own 30-yard line — rightfully, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy just tried to avoid a big defensive play by calling a screen.
Then Khalil Mack happened. Center Corey Linsley let go of the man he was blocking a little bit too quickly and it caused DeShone Kizer to rush the screen pass. The ball ended up in the hands of Mack, who ran it in the rest of the way for six right before halftime to give the Bears a 17-0 lead.
Remember, this play came just a week after he was traded from Oakland to Chicago. Mack was an addition that provided an instant impact for the Bears.
Rest of the article
Here's the Raiders' bit since it made me happy to read
However, it is noticeable that the Bears currently sit at first in sack percentage while the Raiders rank dead last. Last year, the Bears were sixth in sack percentage while the Raiders were 24th.
The number of turnovers between the two teams is apparent too. The Bears are second in the league (behind the Browns) in forced turnovers with 11, and the Raiders are tied for 19th with five. The Bears have a more talented defense than the Raiders overall, but Mack has forced three turnovers of his own this year.
When it comes to game-changing plays that put the ball back in the hand of the offense, there might not be anyone better than Mack right now. It’s not hard to think the Raiders could be 2-2 or perhaps even 3-1, rather than 1-3, with the sacks and turnovers that Mack brings.
Outside of the Raiders’ season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, all of their games have been decided by one score — and they led at halftime in all three of their losses. They have an eight-point loss against the Miami Dolphins and a one-point loss to the Denver Broncos. In their games against Miami and Denver, they combined for just one forced turnover and two sacks.
It’s impossible to say that they would’ve outright won those games if they still had Mack, but Mack has already shown he can erase scoring opportunities by himself.
As the great Jon Gruden said about pass rushers, “It’s hard to find a great one.” The Bears have a great one on their hands — an elite cornerstone on their defense for the foreseeable future. The Raiders don’t have that player anymore.