Looking for the epitome of bittersweet? Look no further than the locker housing a pensive Michael Mayer, deep in the bowels of Allegiant Stadium late Sunday afternoon.
On one hand, the Raiders’ third-year tight end authored a signature performance hauling in a career-high nine receptions for a career-best 89 yards as he stepped into an expanded role with All-Pro Brock Bowers placed on injured reserve earlier in the week.
On the other, Mayer’s breakout came in the midst of another lopsided defeat, a 34–10 loss to the New York Giants that marked the Raiders’ 10th straight loss, dropped them to 2–14, and kept them firmly in line for the No.