Michael Mayer: Everything you need to know

Mayer caught three of five targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 14-12 win over the Chiefs. Mayer was able to pace the team with 47 yards while reeling in at least three passes for the fifth time in his last eight contests. The tight end finished his third campaign in Las Vegas having caught 35 of 50 targets for 328 yards and one touchdown over 13 regular-season contests. Mayer will enter next year as the top reserve option behind Brock Bowers (knee) at tight end with the Raiders.

Mayer recorded nine receptions on 10 targets for 89 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants. The Raiders didn't get much going through the air, but Mayer was responsible for the majority of the limited production. He led the team in every receiving statistic and logged five receptions of at least 11 yards. This was easily Mayer's most productive game of the season -- which came in the absence of Brock Bowers (knee) -- and he should be a favorite target of Kenny Pickett in Week 18 against the Chiefs.

The Raiders placed Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, which means Mayer will serve as the Raiders' No. 1 tight end for the final two games of the regular season, beginning with Sunday's game against the Giants. Mayer has operated as the backup tight end for most of the season, though his best outing of the season -- five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in a Week 6 win against the Titans -- came when Bowers was sidelined. With Bowers done for the year, Mayer will operate as the Raiders' top tight end in Week 17 and 18 while Ian Thomas and Carter Runyon provide depth at the position.