LB Bowman shines in Raiders debut

Oct 20, 2017 - 6:37 AM OAKLAND, Calif. -- Middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman made a good first impression on his new Oakland Raiders teammates Thursday night.

Three days after signing with Oakland as a free agent, the former San Francisco 49er started and recorded a team-high 11 tackles in Oakland's 31-30 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bowman had one tackle for loss and a quarterback hit on a blitz that forced a Chiefs punt late in the game.

"This is a great story," Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said. "He plays just about the whole game and calls the defense. I just absolutely love the football player in him. He's a hunting dog. He loves to play.

"He brought experience during the week. He was a settling influence, kind of a determined influence on the sideline. I thought he did a remarkable job. Really happy to have him and glad that he stepped in and did such a nice job."

Bowman, a four-time All-Pro linebacker, asked the 49ers to release him after his playing time was reduced, and they did so Friday. It didn't take him long to find a new home.

"It feels great, man, just to be wanted," Bowman said. "Guys understand your worth and know how hard you work and how much you love the game. In three days, I've put in 40 hours just really studying this playbook and wanting to come out here and have a great game to show that I still have a lot of football in me."

--Before Thursday, Oakland wide receiver Amari Cooper had a combined 18 catches for 146 yards one touchdown in six games this season.

Cooper caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr on Oakland's first drive, igniting a breakout game. He finished with 11 receptions for a career-high 210 yards and two touchdowns, matching his career high.

Raiders veteran wide receiver Michael Crabtree had some advice for Cooper during his struggles.

"Just be you, Coop," Crabtree said. "It's just about everything coming together. Coop's a fighter, man. Coop's got skills. I don't worry about Coop, and I'm sure he don't worry about me. That's why we're so good together."

--Linebacker Derrick Johnson has been in the NFL for 13 seasons, all with the Chiefs. He said he witnessed "probably the wildest finish" to a game in his career Thursday night.

The game ended with Carr's 2-yard TD pass to Crabtree on the second consecutive play that began with the clock at 0:00 after back-to-back defensive-holding calls on safeties Ron Parker and Eric Murray in the end zone on incomplete passes.

"No excuses," Johnson said. "As a defense, we take a lot of pride in taking the ball away or stopping an opponent when we need a play. We lacked that going down on the last drive.

"This one hurt. Even though we're 5-2, good record in the NFL, this one hurts."