It’s been a season to forget for the Las Vegas Raiders except for tight end Brock Bowers, who broke two league records against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Bowers, the team’s first-round pick out of Georgia in April, entered the contest with Mike Ditka’s all-time receiving yardage record, and he broke it.
Ditka, a Chicago Bears legend, held the record for receiving yards for 63 years until Bowers caught 13 passes from quarterback Aidan O’Connell to move ahead of him in the record books.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) in the first half at Caesars Superdome. (Photos by Stephen Lew-Imagn)
Bowers entered the game with 1,067 receiving yards, just 10 behind Ditka’s all-time record. Ditka, however, played in only 14 games into the season, needing only 56 passes to rack up that many yards.
But Ditka’s record wasn’t the only one Bowers was looking at before his first season ended.
2024 NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: FOUR MORE POSTSEASON GAMES STILL UP FOR WEEK 17
Puka Nacua, who emerged as a star with the Los Angeles Rams last season, broke the 2023 rookie reception record with 105 in his breakout campaign. However, Bowers was just shy of getting into the game.
Bowers led the Raiders with seven catches for 77 yards, breaking Nacua’s rushing record in the process on what turned out to be an eventful day for the Raiders, who won back-to-back games.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Jarrian Jones (22) during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. (Photos by Kirby Lee-Imagn)
Las Vegas downed New Orleans, 25-10, as O’Connell threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-35 through the air.
His receiving touchdowns were Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, while Ameer Abdullah ran for 115 yards on 20 carries to lead the way.
The Raiders’ win continues to have an impact on the NFL Draft, as they are now 4-12 on the season with just one week left to play.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) is tackled by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Photos by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn)
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Meanwhile, the Saints moved to 5-11 after another game led by Spencer Rattler did not lead to a win.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle.
