Raiders' pass rush helping to drive 2-0 start

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2-0 start has been powered by an offense finding the end zone and a defense making quarterbacks increasingly uncomfortable.

Through two weeks, the Raiders are tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks, including five in their season-opening victory over Miami and three more during Sunday’s 26-14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Even more encouraging for defensive line coach Travis Smith is how Las Vegas has created that disruption without relying heavily on blitzes.

The production extends beyond perennial Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby. For Crosby, that reflects the work of the entire defensive line and its coach.

“I think the best feeling that we have as a unit is just by playing together, trusting Coach,” Crosby said. “Trav’s been amazing. For our D line group, he’s an incredible coach. ... He’s holding everyone accountable. We have a certain style of play that we want to play, and that’s the standard and what we do. And how we approach everything is at an elite standard of dominance, and that’s what we practice every single day."

While pressure estimates vary by analytics provider, the Raiders applied pressure on 38.7% of Chargers drop-backs and rank first in the NFL at 45.6% through two games, per Pro Football Reference.

“Numbers and sacks and TFL, stuff like that, they come in bunches; you put the work in, and those come,” Crosby added. “And for me, seeing my teammates ball-out and do our thing and helping us play really efficiently on defense, that’s all that matters.”

The ability to generate pressure without sending extra defenders has strengthened every level of the defense. Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard can keep seven players in coverage, crowd throwing windows and force quarterbacks to hold the football while Crosby, Kwity Paye and the rest of the defensive front attack with four.

Against Justin Herbert, that formula produced more than sacks. The pressure disrupted timing and complemented a coverage effort in which rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses had two interceptions. Masses, the first Raiders rookie with multiple interceptions in one game since Henry Williams in 1979, allowed only two receptions for 16 yards on six targets and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

“It’s been a huge part to the first part of the season, these victories, these team victories,” coach Klint Kubiak said about the pass rush. “They have the attention of the other side of the ball. We just got to keep working to get better, and every week is a whole new game.”

Crosby remains the centerpiece because his relentless motor and reputation command extra attention. But these Raiders are no longer asking him to manufacture every disruptive play. Paye’s arrival, Leonard’s scheme and contributions throughout the front have given Las Vegas something it has lacked in recent seasons: a pass rush capable of attacking in waves.

Two games represent a small sample, and an upcoming road game against the New Orleans Saints will provide another test. But eight sacks and a strong pressure rate provide tangible evidence. The Raiders are unbeaten in part because their defense is dictating terms without sending extra defenders to create pressure.

“We play a certain style of play that we want to play, and that’s the standard and what we do, and how we approach everything — an elite standard of dominance,” Crosby said. “That’s what’s translated so far, but it hasn’t been our best. We know there’s a lot of room to improve, and we got a lot of football to play.”

Tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and cornerback Darien Porter (foot) both practiced Wednesday. Kubiak gave no indication whether either would play Sunday in New Orleans.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) reacts to a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the first half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) fumbles as he is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) celebrates after a win over the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive end Kwity Paye (95) shake hands after a defensive stop during the first half an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Katie Chin)

BENGALURU, India (AP) — This year's powerful El Nino and the record global heat it's driving, along with severe droughts, wildfires and shrinking water supplies, could lead to nearly half a million more deaths worldwide by the end of February, according to a research report released Wednesday.

The grim warning by the University of Chicago-based Climate Impact Lab says that as many as 451,000 more heat-related deaths between June and the end of February could be attributed to El Nino, compared with heat deaths expected in a typical year.

The heaviest toll, the group says, is expected in poorer countries, already struggling with food insecurity and high energy costs, partly due to climate change and the fallout of the war in Iran.

Michael Greenstone, a co-founder of the group and the study's co-author, said the heat danger will likely persist beyond February — even though this El Nino is expected to end by then. The fallout of the weather phenomenon could be felt well into next summer, he added.

The research, he said, shows that heat is most dangerous in places that are already hot and relatively poor.

“If you’re already in a hot place, the extra couple of degrees are going to be much more dangerous,” he said. Wealthier places, he added, generally have greater access to air conditioning, reliable water supplies and functioning health systems.

The study combined seasonal temperature forecasts with localized estimates of how high temperatures affect mortality across more than 24,000 regions worldwide.

Researchers estimated the additional heat-related deaths by comparing deaths expected under El Nino-driven high temperatures with deaths expected if temperatures remained similar to what they have been in the last three decades. The projected fatalities are for the entire El Nino period, from June 2026 until the end of February 2027.

The study by Greenstone and his colleagues also warns that the Global South — a term that isn't geographical but a reference to developing countries in general — will bear the heaviest burden of the excessive heat.

The researchers behind the report found that the Sahel region in Africa — countries along the semiarid southern fringe of the Sahara Desert — is expected to be the hardest-hit, with about 66,800 additional deaths caused by El Nino-driven heat.

Other major hot spots include South and Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America, according to the report. The researchers project about 19,400 additional heat-related deaths across the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, as well as 19,300 in Indonesia, 15,800 in India and 13,300 in Brazil.

With such staggering numbers, there are recommended measures that governments can take, the report says. They include heat-warning systems, cooling centers, hydration stations, protections for outdoor workers, expanded hospital capacity and targeted outreach to elderly people and other vulnerable groups.

The authors also call for what they describe as anticipatory financing, so governments can move resources before dangerous heat peaks.

Abhiyant Tiwari, a heat expert at NRDC India who was not involved in the study, said the report’s projections should serve as a call to action rather than be another reason for alarm.

But while it's one thing to have well thought-out plans — as India does — implementing these plans and raising needed funds remains a challenge, he said.

"The real measure of our preparedness is not how many heat warnings we issue, but how effectively we protect people and reduce preventable deaths,” Tiwari added.

El Nino is a natural climate pattern, but this year’s unusually strong event is occurring on a planet already warmed by human-caused climate change, increasing the risks from extreme heat.

The Climate Impact Lab said global land temperatures during this El Nino could be higher by about 1.2 Celsius (2.1 Fahrenheit), producing 44% more extremely hot days than in a typical year. The report said those temperature increases may mirror conditions that climate change could make common some 20 years from now.

That's why this El Nino could offer a preview of what's ahead as the planet continues to warm, the report said. It's also an opportunity for decision-makers "to see exactly where emergency actions can be taken now to save tens of thousands of lives,” the authors say.

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

FILE - Revelers cool off with the help of spray truck showering water into the crowd of partiers amid the extreme heat, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado, File)

FILE - A firefighter sprays water in an attempt to extinguish a wildfire burning through a peatland forest in Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Sept. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Regina Safri, File)

FILE - Firefighters spray water to put out wildfires burning through peatland forest in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, File)