Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Malcolm Koonce has found consistency as one of the team’s primary defensive players.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce was still in his groove following his career outing against the Los Angeles Chargers when he once again dominated up front in Las Vegas’ 20-14 upset over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Koonce finished the day with three sacks and six combined tackles, just a game after posting two sacks against the Chargers. His three sacks paired him with Raiders Pro-Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby as the only two members of the team to record three single-game sacks this season.
“We talk about it every week,” Raiders Interim Head Coach Antonio Pierce told our own Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. after Monday’s contest. “You got 98 on the left — when someone shows up on the right or up the middle, it’s going to be a problem. And it’s starting to become a problem, and Malcolm is really making a name for himself.
“That’s now, what, three weeks in a row where he’s really just kind of really just like, wow. And it’s good to see. And just the effort, fighting through a lot of stuff.
“But these guys, when I ask them to do by any means necessary at all accounts, just find a way to get it done, and we did that.”
Koonce’s defensive effort in Monday’s game helped lead the Raiders to their first win over their No. 1 rivals since 2020.
“It feels great,” Koonce said. “If you can contribute in any way, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Koonce is in his third year with the Raiders, though has never reached the status of a frequent starter. After not making a single start in his first two seasons, the former third-round pick has now started in nine games for the Silver and Black this season.
In total, Koonce has recorded seven sacks, 38 combined tackles and three for losses on the year.
The Silver and Black continue the season on New Year’s Eve versus the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis.
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