Raiders-Ravens winners and losers: Brock Bowers breaks in Baltimore

Facing a 10-point deficit with just over 12 minutes to play in the fourth quarter as heavy underdogs on the road, it looked like the Las Vegas Raiders were dead in the water in their Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. If they lost, the Raiders would fall to 0-2 and it seemed like the season would never get off the ground.

However, Las Vegas dug deep and scored the game's final 13 points to pull off an improbable upset. Quarterback Gardner Minshew led the way as Minshew connected with rookie tight end Brock Bowers and star wide receiver Davante Adams during a fourth-quarter comeback.

That gives us plenty of winners for this week's winners and losers column.

Winner: Brock Bowers

The Georgia product had a good outing in the season opener, but this past Sunday's game felt like his breakout performance in the NFL. The Bowers caught nine targets to finish just shy of a 100-yard performance (98 yards) and had several clutch first downs to aid the comeback effort.

Although he didn't reach the endzone, a 27-yard catch on 3rd and eight late in the third quarter put the Raiders at the one-yard line and set up the team's first touchdown of the contest.

The Bowers have 125 yards so far this season, the most by a tight end through their first two games in franchise history. Riders X/Twitter Account.

Loser: Colton Miller

It's been a rough start for Miller as he's given up five sacks in two games and three coming Sunday, per Pro Football Focus. To his credit, he is coming off shoulder surgery and missed most of the team's offseason program to help explain his early struggles.

However, at the end of the day, the team isn't getting what it needs from its best offensive lineman, and Miller needs to do a better job of keeping the quarterback upright. In addition, he posted a sub-par 58.7 PFF grade as a run-blocker that the Raiders' rushing attack will need to improve.

Winner: Gardner Minshew

With support up against the wall with some calling for Aidan O'Connell the following week, Minshew was able to catch fire and lead a comeback. He finished with 30 completions on 38 attempts (78.9 percent) for 276 yards and a touchdown, and much of that production came in crunch time when the team needed it most.

A week after being criticized for being too conservative, the free-agent addition started pushing the ball down the field as his ADOT increased by 1.6 yards from the season opener (6.3) and he tossed two “big-time throws” per PFF. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come and he can keep the momentum going.

Loser: Andre James

Like Miller, Las Vegas will need James to step up if the offense is to have any success running the ball. He was sub-par in that category in Weeks 1 and 2, posting an ugly 40.2 PFF run-blocking grade on Sunday, the worst mark among centers by 10 points (pre-Monday Night Football).

While the Raiders have plenty of question marks up front, James is considered a stable presence within the position group as he's one of two offensive linemen with plenty of starting experience and isn't switching positions. However, you don't know that based on his drama for so long.

Winner: Davante Adams

As mentioned above, a big reason for Silver and Black's return was Adams being more involved in the offense. He finished with nine grabs for 110 yards and five catches for a touchdown, 88 yards and a score in the second half. He managed to draw two pass-interference penalties, make an impressive sideline grab and score three goals in four contests.

In other words, the Raiders' best offensive player stepped up and came through clutch when it mattered most and the team needed him.

Defeated: Marcus Epps

It's been two weeks and Marcus Epps' missed tackles are becoming a bigger issue. PFF has him down to six on the season tied for the most in the league and this past Sunday was really bad as he led the team with four. Especially as security, this cannot happen.

If the six-year veteran doesn't turn it around soon, his playing time will take a hit and don't be surprised to see Antonio Pearce make the switch early next week. Pierce has already sunk down the depth chart at other positions, and the safety spot could be next.

Winner: Max Crosby

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

At this point, it should come as no surprise that Crosby did his job as he took advantage of the weak right side of the Ravens' offensive line this weekend. Crosby accounted for half of the Raiders' pressures (four), per PFF, and picked up two sacks to bring his total to three in two games this season.

As a run defender in Baltimore, Mad Max earned an 81.7 grade (best among EDGEs with at least 10 run-defense snaps), recorded three defensive stops (tied for third) and had a -0.3-yard average depth of tackle.

It was a dominant effort in both phases of the game.

Winner: Antonio Pierce

I was hard on Pierce last week, so I have to give him credit for this win. Since taking over as head coach, AP has been talking about building a strong and proud squad and the resilience with which the team played for this win shows that the players are taking the coach's message to heart.

It was a big game in terms of the culture that the Pierce Building is working to create.