Brock Bowers keeps finding ways to look like a mismatch nobody else can solve, and the latest numbers only sharpen that picture.
In the Raiders’ 38-33 road win over the New York Jets in Week 8, Bowers was the centerpiece of the passing game. He finished with seven catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, giving Las Vegas a major lift on a day when the offense needed it.
The most eye-popping detail came after the game, when Next Gen Stats pointed out just how rare Bowers’ usage was. “Brock Bowers caught six passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns aligned as an outside receiver today,” Next Gen stats wrote. “No tight end has recorded more receptions lined up outside in any game since at least 2016.”
That kind of production fits the buzz around Bowers, who has worked through an injury-plagued start to the season and still managed to rebound in the way fans, media and fantasy football players expected. His ability to line up wide and punish defenses there is turning into one of the Raiders’ most dangerous wrinkles.
Las Vegas also got strong work from Kirk Cousins, who continued to quiet the chatter about Fernando Mendoza taking over his job. Cousins helped steer the Raiders through another uneven stretch and delivered 247 yards and three touchdowns as the team snapped a four-game losing streak and climbed back to .500 at 4-4.
The Raiders still have plenty to clean up if they want to stay in the playoff mix, but they’ve put themselves in the conversation. Their next test comes November 8 against the 49ers, and it could give Bowers another chance to put his unique skill set on display.
In Other News...
Kirk Cousins Gave Raiders Fans A New Reason To Love Sunday
Kirk Cousins gave Raiders fans a jolt Sunday in New York, steering a comeback win that felt like the kind of road result this team has been hunting for. After falling behind at halftime, Las Vegas settled in behind Cousins, who topped 200 passing yards and threw three touchdown passes in a 38-33 victory over the Jets, with scoring strikes going to Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
The performance also came with a few wrinkles worth watching beyond the final score. Coach Klint Kubiak addressed Ashton Jeantys limited workload, while Mike Washington Jr. handled the heavier lift in the run game and finished with 25 carries for 83 yards, giving the offense a different look as it worked to keep pace and close out the afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Win Sparked A Bigger Ashton Jeanty Question
The Raiders Week 8 win over the Jets brought a little extra attention to Ashton Jeanty, not because of what he did after the game, but because of what he said before it. Klint Kubiak addressed Jeantys pregame comments and made clear the rookies role was not being shaped by anything he said about New York, a useful bit of context for a team still sorting out how it wants to deploy its backfield.
Mike Washington Jr. ended up handling the heavier rushing load, while Jeanty was more involved as a receiver, a split that fit the way the game unfolded in Las Vegas favor. For a player with Jeantys profile, the bigger question now is less about one weeks usage and more about how the Raiders decide to balance his touches as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Escaped With A Win But Their Secondary Has A New Problem
The Raiders left New York with a win in Week 8, but the trip did little to quiet the concerns around a secondary that was under pressure for much of the afternoon. Las Vegas survived a second-half comeback from the Jets, yet the defense spent too much time on its heels, and the issues in coverage were hard to ignore even with the result in hand.
Eric Stokes was at the center of it, as the Jets kept testing the cornerback and found enough success to keep their offense moving. He was not the only one having a rough day in the back end, either, with other Raiders defenders also struggling to slow down New York's passing game. The victory matters in the standings, but the tape will give this coaching staff plenty to sort through before the next game. [Read more 🡒]