#RaidersNation #NFL #PFF
Las Vegas, NV – If Week 1 is any indication, Jamal Adams might just become a fan favorite in Silver and Black. The veteran safety, making his Raiders debut against the New England Patriots, earned the team’s highest defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, posting an elite 90.9 rating.
PFF Defensive Rankings – Week 1 vs. New England:
🥇 Jamal Adams – 90.9
🥈 Maxx Crosby – 74.9
🥉 Germaine Pratt – 74.6
Adams was everywhere on Sunday, disrupting plays in the secondary and at the line of scrimmage, drawing comparisons to the version of himself that once terrorized offenses with the New York Jets.
Impact Beyond the Box Score
While Maxx Crosby didn’t rack up gaudy stats, his relentless pressure forced hurried throws and clogged running lanes, directly creating opportunities for his teammates to make plays. Adams benefited from that disruption, timing blitzes perfectly and diagnosing New England’s play calls with precision.
“Maxx Crosby blew up most plays even if he didn’t get hands on them,” one analyst noted. “His pressures are helping his teammates’ stats. Adams had just as many plays blown up, if not more. They did great.”
Seattle Connection
Adams’ performance also resonated with fans in Seattle, where the safety spent four seasons after the Seahawks acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Jets. Injuries derailed much of his tenure in the Pacific Northwest, but Seahawks fans still hold admiration for his effort and energy.
“As a Seahawks fan, I’ve always loved him,” one fan wrote. “It was just unfortunate after that first year with us he couldn’t stay healthy after we gave up so much for him. His charisma, character, and work ethic are without question. If he stays healthy, I have no doubt he’ll be a great impact defensive player for the Raiders.”
Looking Ahead
For head coach Antonio Pierce, Adams represents more than just an upgrade in the secondary — he’s a tone-setter. His intensity, vocal leadership, and versatility are exactly what the Raiders’ defense needs alongside Crosby.
If Adams can stay healthy, Week 1 may have been just a glimpse of what’s to come. The Raiders appear to have landed a difference-maker in the back end of their defense — and Raider Nation may be about to witness a defensive resurgence powered by Crosby and Adams.
90.9 to start the season? That’s elite.
