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Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders: 3 things to watch

By Thomas Wheaton

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders warms-up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders warms-up before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 06: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Jason Peters #71 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 06: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Jason Peters #71 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Soldier Field on January 6, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Eagles defeated the Bears 16-15. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

1. Trying to limit Khalil Mack

This should come as no surprise. If the Raiders want to have any chance at winning on Sunday, it starts with them making sure Mack doesn’t single-handedly win the contest for the Bears. Mack will primarily be lining up against Kolton Miller if I had to guess, which means the Raiders will need to give Miller some help. Whether it comes in the form of a double team with left guard Richie Incognito, having a tight end on his side every time, or using a running back to pick up his rush, the Raiders need to keep Mack away from his old buddy Derek Carr.

Knowing Jon Gruden and understanding how his ego works, he will probably want to limit Mack in every way possible, not only to help his chances of winning the game, but to prove himself ‘right’ in trading away Mack. If he can keep Mack’s impact on the game as little as possible, he will surely feel justified in trading away the perennial All-Pro and future Hall of Famer.

Oakland should just play it safe on Sunday and have a tight end on whichever side Mack lines up on every play. Having Foster Moreau follow Mack around will force him to get through a minimum of two bodies if he wants to get to Carr.

Buying Carr more than one second to throw the ball will be paramount. If Mack, or any other Bears player is in Carr’s lap before he even has a chance to finish his drop it will be a very, very long day for the Silver and Black.

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