Las Vegas Raiders superstar tight end Brock Bowers is already on pace for a huge season despite missing the first two contests. He has amassed 28 catches and 382 yards in 4 games, solidifying his status as the best tight end in the NFL on every single snap.
Against the Buffalo Bills, fans saw his lowest total yardage output of the year, though. Bowers was still explosive, finishing with four receptions for 70 yards, but he was outgained by Tre Tucker and fellow tight end Michael Mayer. The Bills had a game plan for Bowers, and they executed it well.
Buffalo put Christian Benford on Bowers for most of the game, and they played cover 2 man to give him help over the top. It led to a great battle between the two, with Benford winning a few reps and Bowers overpowering him for first downs. At the end of the day, Bowers is just impossible to stop.
What did the Buffalo Bills do to slow down Raiders' Brock Bowers?
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph usually deploys this plan when facing the star tight end. He put All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II on Bowers for most of the game. It has worked, with Bowers not having his best statistical output against the Broncos.
It is no wonder that Bills defensive play-caller Jim Leonhard, who worked on Joseph's staff the last two years, mimicked the game plan on Sunday.
On this second target of the game for Bowers, Buffalo's strategy is quite obvious. Benford matches up in press coverage against the tight end and gets physical at the line of scrimmage. A safety rotates over the top to help out and create a bracket.
Bowers uses his physicality to create separation late, but Cousins was under pressure and couldn't get him the football.
Here is an example where Benford was able to win against Bowers. Bowers ran a dig route off a play-action call by Klint Kubiak. For most of the game, the Bills played inside leverage, anticipating dig routes from the Raiders' offense.
This time, Benford plays it perfectly. He is able to use his inside leverage to cut off the route and knock the ball down against Bowers.
On the previous drive, Bowers got the best of Benford. Bowers ran a quick post with a one-on-one against Benford. Bowers uses the same technique he did in his previous reps. He gets physical with Benford and uses his strength to push off Benford to gain separation.
Cousins uses anticipation and makes a great throw for a first down.
Teams will put corners on Bowers to help stop the juggernaut he is, as he's effectively a wide receiver anymore. He still produced, which shows how talented he is. Even with a good game plan, teams will struggle to stop Bowers or even slow him down.
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