The 22-year-old has taken the NFL by storm, entering the weekend eighth in league receiving yards (968) and having been targeted 10+ times in three of his last five starts. Currently sitting third in Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, Bowers has already eclipsed Sam LaPorta for the rookie record in tight end receptions, and he's only 108 yards shy of usurping Mike Ditka's mark for the most receiving yards by a TE in his rookie year. The Jacksonville Jaguars have also been torched by TEs this season, ranking dead-last in yards allowed to the position. History could be made on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
With O’Connell under center, Turner’s aggressive playcalling has proved potent and should have little trouble testing the Jags porous pass defense. Jacksonville has allowed the most “home run” plays on the season, with 63 completions of 20 or more yards allowed – 13 for 40-plus. It sits dead last in EPA allowed per dropback by a large margin. The Raiders defense isn’t much better, but the blitz-happy pass rush has been on one in recent weeks. Las Vegas has collected 12 sacks over the past three games after totaling only 17 in the opening 11 contests of 2024. It actually boasts the No. 4 pass rush win rate at ESPN. Jacksonville has backup Mac Jones at quarterback. He rates among the worst QBs in the league against the blitz (47th to be exact) as well as under pressure, according to PFF, and his two turnovers cost the Jags a win over the Jets in Week 15.