Where there is a Brock, the Las Vegas Raiders have to find a way.

Whether it’s Aidan O’Connell or Desmond Ridder (or Carter Bradley), the Silver & Black quarterback will have to watch out for rookie tight end Brock Bowers early and often.

While opposing defenses have made a concerted effort to hinder the record-setting rookie this season, Las Vegas can address the issue by moving the versatile Georgia product to various spots in the formation – not just the standard line and outside spots for tight ends.

“Yeah, Scott (Turner) and I were talking about it this morning and just finding different ways to move him and put him in different positions. “He’s obviously becoming a key factor for us now, but also a key factor in teams quitting,” Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said in a conversation with his interim offensive coordinator at Bowers. “And we never go into a game without thinking about throwing to Brock, let’s make that clear first.”

It’s clear that Bowers is a focal point in the Raiders’ offense.

With a team-leading 118 goals to go along with 87 receptions for 933 yards and four touchdowns, it’s no secret that the 6-foot-1, 220-pound (1.80-kilogram) 22-year-old (he was born just two days ago). at this age) is a first choice.

“He’s our first option and probably our last option, we’ll see it through,” Pierce admitted. “But you have to be smart with the ball and we can’t force shots because that’s what happened in the game. We forced the throw and we were intercepted. So we have to be smart about it. But again, if we get Brock going, we’re a more efficient offense. And obviously it was a big day for Big Mike (Michael Mayer). It was nice to see him go. So again, the way the game plays out is going to change every week and if you go into it with a plan it creates opportunities for other players and those guys need to step up as well.”

But with Pierce’s Raiders at 2-11 and tied for the worst overall record in the league with the New York Giants, forcing the Bowers issue isn’t suspicious at this point. Las Vegas has nothing to lose, and relying on Bowers on offense isn’t detrimental to the overall scope of things (unless they’re looking for a better draft pick stock). Regardless of whether the starting quarterback in Week 15 is O’Connell or Ridder, getting the ball to Bowers should be the top priority.

The visiting Atlanta Falcons don’t want to fall victim to Bowers’ heroics in the Monday Night Football matchup at Allegiant Stadium and will likely look to keep the talented tight end in safeties Jessie Bate III and Justin Simmons, as well as a cornerback like AJ Terrell show.

Bates and Terrell lead the Falcons with two interceptions apiece, while the trio of Bates, Terrell and Simmons have seven, five and five pass deflections, respectively. Bates is also second on the team with 81 tackles this season.

“I don’t know. They pass to AJ Terrell, and again, if that’s going to go at (wide receiver) Jakobi (Meyers) when he’s out, and then if we send Brock out, he’s going to go at Brock instead. I mean , we’ll find out as the game goes on,” Turner said when asked what he expects from Atlanta’s secondary against Bowers. “The safeties are quality players, Jesse Bates and then Simmons, those are big guys and we know. that we be prepared for them have to, but it’s a really good secondary and they play well together. I know they gave up some big plays, but most teams in the NFL do that sometimes. But no, I have a lot of respect for them and those players. “

If Bowers gets his touches – which are usually very productive – it can attract a lot of attention and shift the offense to other Raiders like Meyers, Mayer and rusher Tre Tucker. Especially when running back Sincere McCormick makes big gains on the ground.

Of course, the overall attacking style changes a bit when it comes to who is under center. O’Connell suffered a bone bruise in his knee and is listed as doubtful for Monday night’s clash having not trained this week. Ridder, who is more mobile, does not have the same type of assimilation as his counterpart.

The start against Atlanta would be a revenge game for Ridder, as he was originally a third-round pick by the Falcons (74th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft. He started 17 of the 19 games he played in a Falcons uniform before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in a player-for-player trade as quarterback for wide receiver Rondale Moore (who landed on injured reserve in August ) was sent into the desert).

“Why do you say that? No, I’m kidding. Yes, they are different types of players,” Turner said when asked about the game plan between Ridder and O’Connell. “Yeah, I think you’re trying to play to your guys’ strengths, so we’re ready.”

Series history: The Falcons and Raiders have met 15 times, with Atlanta leading the all-time series at 8-7 (all regular season contests). The Silver & Black haven’t beaten the Falcons since a 41-14 loss in 2000. While the two teams have rarely met in their respective franchise histories, the Raiders have recently lost five games with a 43-6 win over the Falcons in 2020. The winning streak that Atlanta is currently riding is the longest in the entire series. The Raiders (both Oakland and Los Angeles variants) won four straight from 1975 to 1985.