HOUSTON -- Any more questions about Khalil Mack’s effect on games?
The Oakland Raiders defensive end/outside linebacker was named Associated Press NFL defensive player of the year Saturday night, edging Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller by one vote, 18-17.
Mack's eight-game sack streak led the NFL, and he finished with 11 sacks. He is just the second Raiders player to be honored since the award began in 1971, joining cornerback Lester Hayes, who was feted in 1980.
“He’s unique in the sense that there may be a guy or two in the league that can get to the quarterback better than him, and there may be a guy who’s better at the point of attack, but nobody’s better at both,” Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long told me about Mack late in the season.