NEW ORLEANS — Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight finish Brock Bowers broke two NFL rookie pass-catching information within the Raiders’ 25-10 win on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, in addition to a franchise report.
Bowers first surpassed Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old mark for many receiving yards in a season by a rookie tight finish. Bowers’ 13-yard catch late within the second quarter eclipsed Ditka’s mark of 1,076 receiving yards set in 1961 for the Chicago Bears.
The Raiders tight finish additionally set a report for many catches in a season by any NFL rookie. His seven catches for 77 yards Sunday gave him 108 catches for the 12 months with one recreation to play. Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua set the mark final season with 105 receptions.
“I imply, it is fairly superior,” stated Bowers, who has 108 catches for 1,144 yards and 4 touchdowns with the season finale at residence in opposition to the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) subsequent week.
“It is all the time been a childhood aim to play within the NFL, clearly, after which to return in right here and be capable of catch as many balls as I did and get as many yards as I did … it is fairly surprising to me, I suppose. It is fairly cool.”
The Raiders (4-12) have gained two in a row for the primary time this season after enduring a 10-game dropping streak, making the record-setting efficiency sweeter for Bowers, Raiders coach Antonio Pierce stated.
In spite of everything, the Raiders’ two-game successful streak is on the heels of their worst skid since 2014.
“He’s particular and, on the finish of the day, he does not need no consideration,” Pierce stated. “The crew tried to seize him on the very finish, and he does not even wish to break down the crew in a crew huddle; all he cares about is successful and smiling. I imply, he can break information however simply watch him after victories — that is the true Brock Bowers.
“He is a competitor, he is a real professional and, like I stated, it is scary how good this child could possibly be.”
Bowers, the No. 13 choose in final spring’s draft, additionally set a Raiders franchise report for many catches in a season. Tight finish Darren Waller caught 107 passes in 2020, and Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame receiver Tim Brown had 104 catches in 1997.
Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was impressed after Bowers handed Ditka, Nacua and Waller on the identical day.
“Consistency involves thoughts,” stated O’Connell, who handed for 242 yards and two TDs in finishing 20 of 35 makes an attempt. “Usually, if you see a participant who’s constant all through the week, you possibly can depend on him within the video games. And he is very routine … I see him having breakfast across the identical time each day and simply sticking to his routine and dealing exhausting to verify his physique feels proper, his thoughts is true. I simply actually cannot say sufficient good issues concerning the man.
“I performed as a rookie [so] I understand how exhausting it’s. And never simply play, however to exceed after which to set historic information is insane.”
Bowers and the Raiders didn’t arrive at their crew resort in New Orleans till after midnight native time, lower than 12 hours earlier than kickoff, attributable to issues with the crew constitution.
The Raiders needed to wait a number of hours — coming back from the Las Vegas airport to the crew facility earlier than heading residence for just a few hours after which returning for crew conferences — earlier than one other aircraft turned obtainable.
“Somewhat adversity however I imply, we’re paid to play soccer,” Bowers stated. “We’ll rise up and get after it it doesn’t matter what we really feel like and the way we’re feeling.
“The wins are big, the vibes are method higher. We labored so exhausting all through the entire offseason and through camp and all through the season. I really feel like we have been due, so it has been good.”
