Las Vegas Raiders DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Athletic's Vic Tafur writes that the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to make the change to quarterback Desmond Ridder after Gardner Minshew II was benched for a third time this year in the Week 9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Nothing is official yet, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Raiders go with Ridder under center coming off their bye to face the Miami Dolphins this Sunday. Aidan O'Connell (finger) is on Injured Reserve. Head coach Antonio Pierce is feeling the pressure after losing five straight games to fall to 2-7 before the Week 10 bye. After Ridder took over for Minshew in the loss to the Bengals, he went 11-for-16 for 74 yards and a touchdown while also losing a fumble. The former Falcons QB won't be anything more than a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues if he gets the start against a Dolphins D that just kept the Rams out of the end zone all game on Monday.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (personal) has returned to practice this week and could be available to play this Sunday in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins. The Raiders are coming off their bye week, but Mayer has missed the team's last six games while tending to personal matters. If Mayer is cleared to play this week, he may not see the field as much as he normally would as he works himself back into shape. The 23-year-old tight end wasn't a realistic option for starting fantasy lineups before leaving the team, though, with rookie Brock Bowers serving as Vegas' top pass-catching TE. Before leaving the team, Mayer had only four receptions on seven targets for 21 yards and no touchdowns in his three games played. He should remain on the waiver wire in most leagues unless Bowers misses time with an injury.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker had his second-least productive game of this season in the 24-41 Week 9 blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was targeted six times, but came up with just two catches for five yards. He did not have a rush attempt. It wasn't his worst game of the season, as he was blanked in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but 2.5 PPR fantasy points isn't a start-worthy stat line in any league. Whether it's the loss of No. 1 wideout Davante Adams, the return of WR Jakobi Meyers or lack of chemistry with the quarterbacks, Tucker now profiles as a bench stash only in the deepest of fantasy leagues. He'll head into a Week 10 bye before another game against the Miami Dolphins.

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson converted his only field-goal attempt, a 46-yarder, and hit all three of his extra points in the team's 24-41 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. He moved to 16 for 18 on FG tries on the season, a clip of 88.9%. He also remained perfect on extra points, as he's sank all 14 of those successfully. He's still held back by Las Vegas' general ineffectiveness on offense. He ranks just 10th in the league in total field goal attempts despite not having had his bye week yet, and is 23rd in the NFL in extra points attempted. The "free points" nature of XP's, and his lack of volume on those opportunities, make him a decent start only in deeper leagues. He'll head into a Week 10 bye before facing the brutal Kansas City Chief defense yet again in Week 11.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers didn't score his touchdown until the fourth quarter in garbage time during a blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but that still counts for fantasy scoring. The Raiders were eviscerated 24-41 by the Bengals, who showed that there are levels to this game. Fortunately, Bowers seems destined to be involved heavily in all games the Raiders play this season, and backup quarterback Desmond Ridder threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to him after the starter, Gardner Minshew II, was benched. It doesn't matter who starts as signal-caller. The rookie tight end will always get his fair share of targets. The freshman TE finished with five catches on eight targets for 45 yards and the touchdown grab. He has an opportunity to rest up heading into his Week 10 bye before a Week 11 showdown with the Miami Dolphins.