With the Las Vegas Raiders welcoming the Chicago Bears to Allegiant Stadium, let us look at three bold predictions in the game.
The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to rebound this weekend from a tough road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers this past Monday night. Despite clawing back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to make it a one-score game, the Raiders fell to their division rival 28-14, putting the first blemish on their previously perfect record.
The Chicago Bears will be headed to Las Vegas for a fight with the Raiders, marking the additional seventeenth game added for both teams to the NFL schedule this season.
This upcoming Sunday, the Raiders will see the return of Khalil Mack (if Mack can play, as he has missed practice this week with an injury) for the first time on American soil. The only other time the Raiders have faced Mack since trading him away before the 2018 season was a win over the Bears, 24-21, in a game played at Tottenham Stadium in London.
Las Vegas will also be tasked with lining up against rookie QB Justin Fields in what will be his third career start, as he has taken the starting role over from Andy Dalton in Chicago.
The Bears have split their four games thus far this campaign, as they were able to defeat the Bengals and Lions. With a rookie under center, Head Coach Matt Nagy has been leaning on the run game early and often this season.
On Sunday, though, the Bears will be without, perhaps, their most effective offensive weapon in RB David Montgomery.
The Raiders, on the other hand, will have to keep Justin Fields in check, despite a depleted secondary. Las Vegas will be without both Travyon Mullen and Damon Arnette at the cornerback position and will have to rely on Amik Roberston, Nate Hobbs, and possibly Keisean Nixon, as Nixon has been designated to return from IR.
As Sunday nears, let’s take a look at a few bold predictions for this inter-conference matchup.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Chicago Bears: 3 Bold Predictions for Week 5
Bold Prediction 1: The Raiders score a defensive touchdown
The Las Vegas Raiders have not scored a defensive touchdown since the 2019 season, when they finished with a 6-10 record, and were still then known as the Oakland Raiders.
Not only have they not been able to score a touchdown on defense, but turnovers in general for the Raiders’ defensive unit have been extremely difficult to come by. In fact, Las Vegas has not finished a season with a positive turnover ratio since their magical 2016 run.
This season, though, the unit looks to be much improved under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. The Raiders are generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which is allowing their defensive backs to really show improvement.
Moreover, the Raiders have added several key pieces to their secondary, including the likes of Casey Hayward, Nate Hobbs, and Tre’von Moehrig.
Add in the fact that the Raiders will be game-planning for a quarterback making just his third career NFL start on Sunday, and a perfect opportunity for that elusive first defensive score in two years presents itself.
Sunday, look for the Raiders to finally get in the end zone on the defensive side of the ball, as they take back a Justin Fields interception to the house.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Chicago Bears: 3 Bold Predictions for Week 5
Bold Prediction 2: Josh Jacobs makes the Bears pay…again
The first time that these two teams met after the blockbuster Khalil Mack deal, the narrative was surrounding the production of Khalil Mack, versus the production of the player selected using the first-round pick the Raiders obtained in that deal, Josh Jacobs.
In their first head-to-head clash, the Raiders proved to be the winners of the trade, at least on that one Sunday in October across the pond.
In that game, Josh Jacobs rushed for 123 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns. He was also able to add another 20 yards receiving on three receptions. For an exclamation point, Jacobs scored the game-winning touchdown with under two minutes to go.
On the other hand, Khalil Mack did not record a single sack, as he managed just three tackles for the contest. Although the Raiders may not be able to hold Khalil Mack to such a quiet outing this time around, Chicago will once again be burned by Josh Jacobs.
The Bears’ run defense has struggled this season compared to years past, especially when facing highly talented running backs. When facing the Browns two-headed attack of Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb earlier this season, the Bears allowed over 160 rushing yards combined to the two explosive backs.
While Jacobs has struggled out of the gate this year, mostly due to injury, expect him to have his first big performance of 2021 this Sunday, as he eclipses 100 yards on the ground and adds at least one score.
Las Vegas Raiders vs Chicago Bears: 3 Bold Predictions for Week 5
Bold Prediction 3: The Raiders finally find the endzone in the 1st quarter — twice
The Raiders’ first quarter offense to begin the 2021 NFL season has been nothing short of abysmal. Las Vegas is one of the very few teams across the entire league to have yet to score a first quarter touchdown, and have scored only five combined first quarter points this year, a Daniel Carlson field goal and Casey Hayward safety.
The disappointing reality is, the Raiders are averaging just 1.2 points in the first quarter this season.
The consistent slow starts for the Raiders’ offense have resulted in early deficits in almost every game. In three out of four contests this year, the Raiders have found themselves in a double-digit hole quickly into the first half.
If the Raiders want to keep winning, this trend needs to change. Whether it is a product of poor play calling, sluggish energy, or poor pass protection, Las Vegas needs to find a way to put together a complete game on both sides of the ball. Jon Gruden and Derek Carr know this and have addressed it.
All signs point to getting off to a strong start on offense being a heavy point of emphasis this week and coupling that with a vulnerable Bears secondary is good news for a potential high Raiders’ first quarter point total.
This week, the Raiders have to waste no time on offense and can move the ball successfully from the jump. Las Vegas finds the endzone not only once in the first quarter on Sunday, but twice.