Raiders’ record-breaking rookie gives fans reason to care about sinking season

The Raiders earned a first-and-goal from the 4-yard line in the final minutes of a Week 7 game at the Los Angeles Rams, and it was no secret who they would go to for a potential game-tying touchdown.

Pressure forced quarterback Gardner Minshew to throw away a first-down pass attempt but, sure enough, on second and third downs, he targeted rookie tight end Brock Bowers. The first-round, No. 13 overall pick out of the University of Georgia had multiple defenders covering him, so the plays were ultimately unsuccessful and the Raiders questionably settled for a field goal.

“I have to come down with it no matter what,” Bowers said at his locker after the eventual 20-15 loss. “That’s on me.”

But nothing about the Raiders’ underwhelming and likely worsening 2-5 start to the season is truly on Bowers. “[He’s] been a bright spot for us each and every week,” said Raiders coach Antonio Pierce.

And his performance may only get brighter given the state of the Raiders’ receiving corps going into a Week 8 game against the archrival, back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at 1:25 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium.