The AFC West has belonged to the Kansas City Chiefs for as long as most NFL players can remember. For nine consecutive seasons, the divisional title has belonged to Andy Reid and the Chiefs, but the 2025 season brought about an elevated level of competition in the first month.
The Chiefs began the new year with consecutive losses and are still looking up to the Los Angeles Chargers in the standings (at the present time). The Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos both had reasons to believe they were much improved—the former with a proven head coach at the helm in Pete Carroll and the latter building on the turnaround successs of a year ago.
For the Raiders, however, the offensive progression under Carroll has taken a hit with a lingering injury to Brock Boweres, and it sounds as if the team might have to keep pushing through it.
ESPN reporter Adam Schefter has word that Bowers is dealing with a PCL injury, and rest is the only cure—something he says is not happening.
Raiders TE Brock Bowers has been playing through a PCL injury and bone bruise on his knee that has impacted his performance, per sources. Doctors have said the only way to recover from the knee injuries he suffered on opening day vs. the Patriots is to rest, which Bowers has been… pic.twitter.com/UAdyCiyb36
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2025
The Raiders are already in the basement by themselves after four weeks with a 1-3 record. Geno Smith is going to need every bit of help he can to keep up with the high-powered offenses in the AFC West, but without Bowers, there's little hope for the Raiders passing attack.
Bowers began the year with a 103-yard performance in the team's lone win over the New England Patriots. SInce that game, however, the most he's managed is 46 yards in Week 4 with limited effectiveness on 8.7 yards/reception. For a player intended to be the centerpiece of the offense, the Chiefs' secondary is going to have no problem swallowing that up.
The Chiefs and Raiders have yet to meet this season and will face off twice as division rivals—the first meeting is scheduled for Week 7. That same week is when wide receiver Rashee Rice is due back from a six-week suspension to start the year, which will only make keeping up with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense that much more difficult for Las Vegas.
Bowers had a sensational rookie campaignr after being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at No. 13 overall. He had 112 catches for 1,194 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in his first professional season, which earned him Pro Bowl honors, a first-team All-Pro nod, and a second-place finish for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
If Bowers chooses to play through the injury, a dynamic Chiefs' secondary with plenty of talent and depth is going to have a much easier of time of things in Week 7 and beyond.