The Oakland Raiders have improved on defense in the past month or so, and one of the reasons why is the play of rookie linebacker Ben Heeney.
The fifth-round pick from Kansas has been playing extensively since late November. Heeney has 21 tackles in the past three games, including nine in a Christmas Eve win over San Diego.
“Ben has been really good,” Oakland coach Jack Del Rio said of Heeney. “I think the other night, his ability to close and tackle (San Diego running back Danny) Woodhead in a couple of critical moments of the ballgame, I thought that was huge for us.