3 Keys to a Bears Victory Over the Raiders
This Sunday the 1-5 Chicago Bears host the 3-3 Las Vegas Raiders. Looking at both teams’ records, the Raiders are the better team heading into the game. However, watching the Raiders play tells a different story. As they have not been effective on either side of the ball. That is not to say the Raiders have no weapons they just have not used them effectively this season. That is an issue, especially since they will be starting a backup quarterback against the Bears.
As for the Bears this season has not went well and that is seen in their record. Things only got worse last week when quarterback Justin Fields dislocated his thumb. The injury will sideline Fields against the Raiders, which means both teams will be starting backup quarterbacks. In this battle of the backups, the Bears will need to follow these three keys to secure a victory.
Get Tyson Bagent Comfortable early
Photo Credit: Chicago Bears
Undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent came in last week due to the injury Justin Fields sustained and did not look great. Ultimately ending the game 10 of 13 passing for 83 yards and an interception. Bagent will need to play better for the Bears to have a chance of winning this week. The key to improving Bagent's play this week is getting him in a comfortable rhythm early. This means that offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will need to gameplan quick, easy passes for Bagent. Getting the ball out of Bagent's hands and into his playmakers' hands quickly will help him establish a good rhythm and pace. That is something the Bears offense has not consistently had this season. If they accomplish this with Bagent, then the offense has a chance to score more than 20 points for the third time this season.
Double team Maxx Crosby
Photo Credit: Los Vegas Raiders
The Bears have had inconsistent offensive line play the past two weeks. Looking good against a stacked Commanders front and awful against the Vikings blitz heavy front. Well, it does not necessarily get easier this week because they have to face Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby has 5.5 sacks through six games, which means he averages one per game. That does not look scary on the surface, but he is a force that can wreck a game.
That's a problem for the Bears, who will have to line up either rookie right tackle Darnell Wright or backup OT Aviante Collins against Crosby. In either case, double-teaming Crosby is what the Bears need to do. If the Bears can slow Crosby down with a double team, then Bagent should not be under much duress because the Raiders lack other pass rush support. If they do not double team Crosby, that Bagent will be in for a long day.
Shut down Davante Adams
Photo Credit: Los Vegas Raiders
Davante Adams returns to Solider Field this Sunday, but this time as a Raider. Adams has 39 catches for 471 yards and three touchdowns this season. Comparing those stats to his first six games with the Raiders last season, he has ten more catches, 46 less yards and one less touchdown. So statistically, Adams is not having a bad start to the season, but the team not doing well makes his play look worse. That could all change this week with Adams potentially getting targeted more with a backup quarterback will be playing. That does not bode well for the Bears who have struggled to slow down Adam throughout his career.
In order for the Bears to win this game, they will need to slow Adams down. Having him matched up with Jaylon Johnson is a good start since Johnson is a solid coverage cornerback. Still, double covering Adams will be the best way to slow him down, especially with the way the secondary has struggled this season.