For the first time in five years, the Raiders defense took the field to start a game without Maxx Crosby. The last time that happened was October 2019, which means there isn’t a player on this defense who has experienced that in a Raiders uniform. So it was definitely an unknown experience.

There was no choice in the matter. The Raiders had to figure it out. That goes for everything Crosby represents with this defense. They are their emotional leader and make sure the Browns don’t do to them what the Panthers did last week.

At first, this one had a “here we go again” feel. The Browns scored a touchdown on the opening drive and led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. But on that second drive, you could tell the defense was figuring things out. They only gave up one first down on the second stage and then stopped the stage.

Then they went two quarters without giving up a point and defeated the Browns 20-16.

The defense line led the way. Including Christian Wilkins who had a sack and three QB hits.

Wilkins knew meeting this challenge would begin before he even stepped onto the field. It started in the locker room. And with Crosby out, it was Wilkins’ duty to be the emotional leader.

Yet he didn’t have to do it alone. Adam Butler took it upon himself to speak to the team and also say some words of inspiration.

Butler grew up in a military family, so he had a simple question for his teammates.

“While the bullets are flying, what are you willing to risk?” Butler asked. “I just put that question up in the air and made a deal with them. I said I wouldn’t let you down if you didn’t let me down. I’m going to fly to the ball and you fly to the ball. And we will come out victorious and that is what we did.”

Butler held his end up. He made several key stops and finished the game second in tackles (6), along with a tackle for loss and a QB hit.

Ultimately, it was one of those edge rushers tasked with filling in for Crosby that slammed the door on the Browns.

On the fourth and third, with the game on the line, Deshaun Watson broke away to his left, looking for a receiver or to take off and run for the first down. But Charles Snowden made sure neither could happen. He chased down Watson and sacked him to end the game.

Snowden said he and his fellow edge rushers saw it as a personal challenge to step up in Crosby’s absence.

“We knew none of us were going to become Maxx Crosby overnight,” Snowden said. “We knew it was going to take a collective effort with his play, his energy and just his presence. Maxx always gets guys working with his energy, so we knew we just had to do that collectively.

Snowden finished tied for the team lead with three QB hits on his sack, a tackle for loss and a pass batted. Janarius Robinson shared a sack, Tyree Wilson had two QB hits and practice squad draft pick K’Lavon Chaisson added four tackles.

Deshaun Watson was held to 176 yards receiving with one touchdown and one interception on the day. For a moment it looked like he might have a long TD to Amari Cooper, but holding on to Wilkins gave him just enough time to get the pass off and wipe it away.

And the collective effort of those who stepped up to fill the void left by Crosby’s absence ultimately preserved the victory.