The Las Vegas Raiders host the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT. Here are five keys to victory for the Raiders:
Block better:
This is going to be the Raiders’ primary area to correct
until it is corrected. The offensive line has been a glaring issue all season. They can’t pass protect and the can’t run block, either. They have allowed 12 sacks, the second most in the league and Geno Smith is on pace to be sacked 68 times. The offense is not going anywhere until this issue is fixed.
Pass defense:
The Bears may be figuring it out under new head coach Ben Johnson, who the Raiders wanted to hire before turning to Pete Carroll. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes against Dallas in a Week 3 win. The Bears have some nice receiving options in Rome Odunze (who will be motivated to show out in his first NFL game in his hometown of Las Vegas), DJ Moore and rookie Luther Burden. The Raiders’ pass defense has been bitten some this season. The Bears will test it.
Third down success:
Las Vegas was 3 of 14 on third-down attempts at Washington. That’s no way of sustaining drives. They must extend drives in this game.
Ride Jeanty and Bowers:
New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly hasn’t been able to get this offense going. He needs to find a way to get rookie running back Ashton Jeanty loose and Kelly needs to consistently feed star second-year tight end Brock Bowers. Rely on your weapons.
Stop the run:
One of the Raiders’ many problems last week in Washington was their run defense. The Commanders had 201 yards rushing and 174 of those yards came in the first half. It was the most the Raiders allowed in the first half in 15 years. They must tackle better.
