Raiders Face 49ers With Bowers in Focus
San Francisco players and coaches praised Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers ahead of Sunday's matchup.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
The Las Vegas Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, with 49ers players and coaches lauding Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are out for the game.
Why it matters
Bowers' recent production and his connection with quarterback Kirk Cousins position the Raiders' passing game as a central storyline for the matchup. The 49ers' attention to Bowers highlights how the young tight end has become a focal point for opposing defenses.
Bowers recorded two touchdowns in a win over the New York Jets, one on a one-handed catch, while Kirk Cousins ranks second in the NFL in touchdown passes this season. The extraction does not indicate how these figures will carry into Sunday's game against the 49ers.
The players
Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers is a tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders who recorded two touchdowns in a win over the New York Jets.
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins is the Raiders' quarterback who has developed a passing connection with Bowers and ranks second in the NFL in touchdown passes this season.
George Kittle
George Kittle is a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, the opponent in Sunday's matchup.
The details
Cousins has developed a connection throwing to Bowers in traffic, with Bowers running routes fully extended. 49ers coach Raheem Morris previously coached Cousins in Atlanta, where Cousins returned to the starting role late last season and won four straight games.
Timeline
Late last season: Cousins returned to the Falcons' starting role and won four straight games.
Sunday: The Raiders host the 49ers, with Bowers and Cousins expected to feature in the passing game.
Season Trajectory
The Raiders' passing game built around Bowers and Cousins is a key factor in their season direction as they host a 49ers team that has reshaped its roster through trades and injury returns. The matchup also revisits Cousins' Atlanta tenure, when he won four straight games after returning to the Falcons' starting role late last season.
Fantasy managers tracking Bowers will want to weigh his two-touchdown performance against the Jets when setting lineups for Sunday's game. The absence of Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel shifts target distribution, which may increase opportunities for remaining pass catchers.
The takeaway
Watching how Cousins and Bowers connect in traffic offers a clear read on whether the Raiders' passing attack can sustain its production without Evans. Fans and fantasy players can track that connection as the game unfolds Sunday.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for the wider context on this matchup.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal.
