The New England Patriots defense will have their hands full with another two tight-end test on Sunday when they welcome the Las Vegas Raiders to Foxborough.
Las Vegas has an underwhelming wide receiver depth chart, with Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor as the team’s most established receivers, but uses both tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer heavily in the passing game.
During his press conference earlier this afternoon, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel praised both of the Raiders’ tight ends.
“Brock [Bowers]’s a receiver. It’s impressive what he does at his size and the speed, the route craft, being able to catch at the catch point,” said Vrabel.
“He’s like a big slot receiver. He’s got downfield speed; he runs out-breaking routes. He runs routes like a receiver, then also he’s got the ability to double guys up inside.”
“Mike [Mayer] has really turned into a complete tight end and everything that I think people that looked at him coming out of the draft envisioned,” said Vrabel.
“The ability to play at the line of scrimmage, ability to block, but also be able to excel in the pass game.”
Through four weeks, Mayer and Bowers have carried Kirk Cousins‘ passing-game resurgence.
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Bowers has only appeared in two games due to a left meniscus trim in August, but has come back with a vengeance with 16 catches, 222 yards, and two touchdowns. Mayer has played in all four games and has 20 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown.
After an outstanding job last week of mixing up defensive coverages and limiting Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid to one reception for seven yards, Patriots defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr will have to scheme up another creative game plan to stop the Raiders’ double-tight end sets both in the passing game and the running game.
Last season, the Raiders took New England’s home opener 20-13. Look for another creative game plan from the Patriots’ defense to limit Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer and prevent the same result this time around.
