Silver And Black Pride
The Week 16 contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans is undoubtedly a mismatch, seeing as the Raiders are heavy underdogs going into it. But Las Vegas’ focus should be on the future, so how the young players fare in the three key matchups below should take priority over how the scoreboard looks at the end of the game.
Bowers proved himself as a rookie, immediately becoming one of the best tight ends in the NFL. However, year two hasn’t exactly gone his way, seeing a decrease in production by going from 70.2 yards per game to 58.8. The 2024 first-round pick has also gone from leading his position in catches (112) and yards (1,194) during the regular season to ranking ninth (59) and seventh (647) in those categories, respectively.
Of course, poor quarterback and offensive line play, as well as injury at the beginning of the year, play big factors in Bowers’ statistical dip. He still should be considered one of the league’s top tight ends, and putting together a strong performance against a safety who is having a phenomenal campaign can help solidify his status.
Pitre enters the game as Pro Football Focus’ highest graded safety, both overall (89.5) and in coverage (89.9). The primary reasons for that is he’s tied for eighth at the position with six forced incompletions, tied for second with four interceptions and has yet to give up a touchdown, resulting in a 57.0 passer rating when targeted, which ranks 10th.
Considering 80.5 percent of Bowers’ pass snaps have come either as a slot receiver or an in-line tight end, per PFF, while nearly 90 percent of Pitre’s snaps have been at strong safety or over the slot, these two should have plenty of one-on-one battles this Sunday.
Porter has definitely shown promise and has been more good than bad this season, but he is coming off a rough performance. The rookie has been targeted 24 times and has allowed 15 catches for 201 yards, with three targets, three receptions and 71 yards coming last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, via PFF. He had a tough time against the Eagles’ strong wide receiver duo, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and this week won’t be much easier.
Over the last three years, Collins has become one of the better wide receivers in the NFL. He’s logged 212 catches, 3,304 yards and 23 touchdowns in the regular season during that time frame, and recorded his third consecutive 1,000-yard and six-plus touchdown campaign with 85 yards and two scores last week. The 2021 third-round pick has also been incredibly efficient, ranking second among qualifying wide receivers in 2023 with 3.10 yards per route run, third in ‘24 with 2.87 yprr and eighth this year at 2.37, per PFF.
Collins’ unique combination of size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and ability to win down the field are the biggest reasons why he’s such a challenge for...
