On a night where the highlights for the Oakland Raiders were hard to find – as is usually the case in a 24-point defeat – Arden Key provided one of the handful of defensive bright spots against the Seattle Seahawks, registering his first NFL sack in the third quarter of the Week 6 affair.
Lined up over right tackle with 13:15 left in the third quarter, Key beat his man, then proceeded to chase down Russell Wilson, taking down the Super Bowl champion signal-caller for a loss of eight.
"It took all four of us," said the rookie postgame. "We had contain on the opposite side, so it made Russell stop, and pause for a minute, and I was right there to collect the sack."
"I'm happy for him," added fellow defensive end Bruce Irvin. "He's going to be a hell of a player. He's been busting his tail. He's been getting close every week, and it was just good to see him finally get home. He works so hard, so he got rewarded today. I'm going to stay on him, keep working, and more sacks to come for him."
As Irvin noted, Key has been getting close, really close in fact, so it was encouraging to see the former LSU Tiger secure his first NFL sack, albeit in a losing effort.
During his career in Baton Rouge, Key was a sack machine, totaling 20 during his three college seasons, including 11 during his sophomore campaign.
It's no secret that the Silver and Black have had their fair share of struggles rushing the passer this year – their seven total sacks rank 30th in the league – so having Key keep the positive momentum going after the bye week would be a welcome asset to Paul Guenther's defense.
As impressive as Key's moment was, at the end of the day, it didn't alter the end result of the 27-3 loss, or the fact that headed into the bye week the Silver and Black are four games under .500.
It was unquestionably the worst loss of the young season, and while the raw pain of the international loss still lingers, Head Coach Jon Gruden hopes that for Key and the rest of the young Raiders, Sunday's game at Wembley Stadium becomes a seminal moment for them, a galvanizing one that they remember going forward.
"I told the rookies after the game, don't forget this," Gruden said. "Just because you're in the league, doesn't mean it's going to be a pleasant experience. You can get your butt kicked in this league, and I want the rookies to take advantage of this playing time. They all know they've got to get stronger. They've got to get faster. They've got to become better students of this game, because it's tough going up against guys who played this game for a living for seven, eight, nine, ten years, especially a world champion quarterback."
Key played 47 defensive snaps against the Seahawks – more than any other Raiders defensive lineman – and he was active throughout, finishing his night with four tackles, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, as well as the aforementioned third quarter takedown of Wilson.
Fellow rookies Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall played 42 and 33 defensive snaps respectively, so No 99 isn't the only young player contributing on the defensive line, but make no mistake about it, that trio isn't playing just for the sake of playing – they've earned their reps.
"We're going to continue to try to get some young guys experience, but most importantly, we're playing our best players, just so you know," Gruden explained. "We're not just playing rookies for the heck of it."
With his first sack now out of the way, Key said he's hopeful the levy will break, and more come will, and the Raiders would benefit greatly if that was indeed the case.
Take a look through the top images from the Raiders' game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) enters the stadium before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Emmanuel Lamur (54) enters the stadium before the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) and Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Linebacker Marquel Lee (55) and the Oakland Raiders huddle up before their regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) and linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle PJ Hall (92) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (45) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders safety Reggie Nelson (27) and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (45) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders offensive guard Gabe Jackson (66), running back Marshawn Lynch (24), quarterback Derek Carr (4) and center Rodney Hudson (61) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and center Rodney Hudson (61) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85), safety Reggie Nelson (27), and linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73), and defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins (90) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Kolton Miller (77) and wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquel Lee (55) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) and cornerback Rahsaan Melvin (22) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58), safety Erik Harris (25), and punter Johnny Townsend (5) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
The Oakland Raiders huddle up during their regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Martavis Bryant (12) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Shilique Calhoun (91) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins (90) and linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) makes a play during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the huddle during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders tight end Jared Cook (87) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist (31) makes a play during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) makes a play during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) makes a play during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) makes a play Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Fadol Brown (95) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley stadium on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 14th, 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders punter Johnny Townsend (5) and kicker Matt McCrane (3) during the Oakland Raiders regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) swaps jerseys with Seattle Seahawks center/guard Ethan Pocic (77) after the Oakland Raiders regular game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) swaps jerseys with Seattle Seahawks strong safety Delano Hill (42) after the Oakland Raiders regular game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) swaps jerseys with Seattle Seahawks strong safety Shalom Luani (24) after the Oakland Raiders regular game against the Seattle Seahawks at Wembley Stadium, Sunday, October 14, 2018, in London, England. The Oakland Raiders lost 27-3.
