Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers has already etched his name in the record books again, and it’s only his first game back
The Las Vegas Raiders still have the best tight end in the league in Brock Bowers, and he once again joins elite company with a record.
The Las Vegas Raiders are 3-0 for the first time since 2021, and tight end Brock Bowers’ return had everything to do with the latest victory.
Bowers caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints, and the Raiders’ offense looks like it’s firing on all cylinders. Kirk Cousins, Bowers, and the entire offensive unit are proving that this group can sustain early-season success.
The offense is efficient, quick, and effective. It’s doing all the little things right. Are there shots down the field? Maybe not as many as you’d like, and that could change when and if Fernando Mendoza gets in the game. For now, Cousins is doing what he has to do. He’s getting the ball out quickly, working the offense, running the ball well from under center, and finding Bowers whenever he needs a play.
“Brock has always been a guy we can count on, but coming off an injury, we needed him. I’m proud of Brock,” Kubiak told reporters after the win.
Brock Bowers is already making history
In his first game of the year, Bowers notched his 6th career game with 10-plus receptions, the 2nd most in Raiders history behind Tim Brown and tied for 7th most all-time among tight ends. When you think about how many great tight ends have played in this league, you have Travis Kelce, who the Raiders will see next week in Week 4, Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, and so on. Bowers already has his name alongside those players, and that’s incredible.
The Raiders ran their offense effectively in the first two weeks without Bowers, a staple of the offense and the best weapon in the passing game. Then he came in Week 3, and you knew he’d find the end zone. You just knew they were going to feed Bowers the ball all game long.
New Orleans tried to put cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry on him, and McKinstry had a few good reps. But you can only do so much. Bowers is inevitable. Cousins dropped a perfect back-shoulder throw to him on a 3rd-and-14, and Bowers made an amazing catch. Then he forced his way open for the touchdown. The Saints knew the Raiders would target Bowers, and they still couldn’t stop it.
Michael Mayer showed why he got paid
The Raiders didn’t limit their tight end usage to Bowers. Michael Mayer, the other tight end, showed why Las Vegas gave him the contract it gave him. Mayer finished with three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown, and his run blocking was magnificent.
Bowers will be leaned on even more going forward. Wide receiver Jack Bech just broke his forearm, and the receiver room already doesn’t inspire much confidence. The Raiders will have to lean on Bowers. Whether teams know he’s getting the ball or not, it really doesn’t matter at this point. Las Vegas has shown that it likes its guy more than any opponent likes theirs. Bowers did his thing and is once again in the history books.
