Raiders notebook: Khalil Mack delivers the clutch defensive plays

OAKLAND - The chants of “MVP!” have become commonplace at the Oakland Coliseum in 2016. But they have taken on a new twist. The calls aren't all for quarterback Derek Carr anymore.

Defensive end Khalil Mack is creeping into the race for NFL most valuable player.

Carr remains a frontrunner after the Raiders' 38-24 win against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. His team is 10-2, and he upped his season statistics to 3,375 yards and 24 touchdown passes, with only five interceptions. He is the trusted leader of the Oakland offense.

Mack got off to a slow start this season, but is making up for lost time. After a huge game against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers a week earlier, he followed up by wrecking two late Buffalo drives with a quarterback hit that led to an interception, followed by a strip-sack and fumble recovery.

Asked about the chants after the game, Mack played coy. “Was Steph Curry here?” he asked, referring to the Golden State Warriors star and two-time NBA most valuable player.

Carr took the high road and said he would vote for Mack if given the opportunity. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree had a better idea: “I'd double-vote,” he said.

Maybe Donald Trump was right about all that voter fraud in California.

SHADY DEALINGS

It wound up being a frustrating day for the Bills, but at least one of the visitors made a big impression on the home team and fans. LeSean “Shady” McCoy was brilliant, zipping through holes in a millisecond and juking linebackers as if they were moving in slow motion.

McCoy wound up with 130 rushing yards on 17 carries, and probably would have had more if the Bills hadn't been forced to pass in the fourth quarter.

Asked how it affected the game when McCoy left for a series with cramps, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said, “He was probably just catching his breath. He was running like crazy. I mean, that guy is a heck of a running back. … I told him that afterwards.”

Del Rio then heaped some major praise on McCoy.

“Reminds me a little bit of a guy I played against named Barry Sanders,” said Del Rio, who played 11 seasons as an NFL linebacker. “Just because he makes so many people miss. He has that ability to kind of hover a little bit and then accelerate.”

With McCoy leading the way, the Bills rushed for 212 yards against the Raiders. They topped 150 for the fifth consecutive game, something they hadn't done since O.J. Simpson was in his heyday in 1975.

BLOCK THAT PUNTER

It was an interesting game for Oakland punter Marquette King. He unleashed a 60-yard kick, and another that was downed at the 4. He also had a 28-yard misfire that set up a Bills touchdown drive.

But what most people will remember was a moment that occurred with 2:27 left in the game. King punted and was roughed by Buffalo's Corey White. The energetic punter then picked up the flag, did a little dance and mimicked an official as he tossed it to the ground. Oops. King was hit with a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“It's definitely a teachable moment,” Del Rio said. “He's not mean-spirited in what he's doing. He's having fun. He enjoys himself. He had the Pee Wee Herman out there today. I saw that. I got a giggle.”

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

Santa Rosa's Cardinal Newman High School will play for the NorCal 2-AA football championship Friday at 7:30 p.m. At precisely the same time, Bakersfield Christian will kick off the SoCal 4-AA title game against Selma.

It was a relevant topic Sunday, because the head coach of the Bakersfield Christian Eagles is Darren Carr, older brother of the Oakland quarterback. David Carr, another older bro (and former NFL quarterback) is the team's offensive coordinator, and father Rodger Carr is the QBs coach.

“Bakersfield Christian, go Eagles,” Derek Carr said after Sunday's game. “They're going after a championship. I remember winning mine, back in the Fog Bowl in Corcoran. I'm really proud of 'em, man. I'm thankful they keep me in the loop, and they have me in the program as the hype man. So I'm thankful to be on that coaching staff as well. Hopefully they send me a ring, though.”