The Chicago Bears went into Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders feeling good following their big win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. They were quickly brought back down to earth thanks largely to Maxx Crosby, but still came away victorious for their second straight win, thanks partly to an in-game gamble of shuffling their offensive line.
Chicago lost the yardage battle, particularly on the ground.
In the end, despite more concerns along the offensive and defensive lines, the Bears’ special teams unit came through and sealed the game.
Bears Beat Raiders on Blocked FG After Shuffling Offensive Line
Bears’ Gamble Pays Off vs Raiders in Week 4
The Bears rushed for 69 yards against the Raiders, their fewest team rushing yards in a game this season. It is made even more ominous given the Raiders entered the week ranked 18th against the run.
However, it should not go overlooked that the Bears’ go-ahead touchdown drive took 5:11 off the game clock. The Bears traveled 69 yards over 11 plays. It also featured five runs.
Two were scrambles by Caleb Williams. But the capper was a 2-yard D’Andre Swift plunge.
And yet, the Bears compounded their failed two-point conversion attempt by allowing the Raiders to reach their own 42-yard line on the ensuing kickoff. The Raiders then marched to the Bears’ 36-yard line, where Chicago’s defense stiffened up.
The Raiders were still well within kicker Daniel Carlson’s career-long range of 57 yards. However, Bears cornerback Josh Blackwell came flying off the edge to block the try, preserving the win.
The Bears notched their second straight win and moved to .500 at 2-2 with their bye week coming up. Bears head coach Ben Johnson expressed confidence in some players getting healthy during the break, and now they can celebrate a win on top of it.
Bears Must Address OL Issues
Williams enters the bye having completed 22 of 37 passes for 212 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception against the Raiders. He has a 927-8-2 line on 62.3% completion this season. He absorbed 1 sack against the Raiders, but the Bears shuffled their offensive line amid ineffectiveness.
Braxton Jones was pulled from his post at left tackle in favor of Theo Benedet, who opened the game filling in for starting right tackle Darnell Wright. Wright was out with an elbow injury, and Benedet was in the mix to start at LT this summer.
Rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo stepped in at RT with Benedet’s move to the left side.
However, the Bears still averaged 2.7 yards per carry against the Raiders. And despite his ability to avoid sacks, Williams was under intense duress throughout the contest.
Most of that was from Crosby. Williams and Johnson identified him as a game-wrecking presence during the week leading up to the game. Regardless, it is a persistent issue. Perhaps time is the only remedy. Still, the Bears have to consider addressing it, if possible, during the break, even if it is just naming a new starting LT.
The same is true for their defensive line.
Bears’ Defense Missing Key Pieces
Starting tackle Grady Jarrett missed his first game of 2025. The Bears allowed Raiders rookie tailback Ashton Jeanty to set career highs with 138 yards and 1 TD on 21 carries.
Raiders QB Geno Smith threw for 117 yards and tossed three interceptions – two to Kevin Byard – but the Bears could not get to him for a sack during the contest. The Bears were also missing Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and T.J. Edwards, so they were short-handed.
Getting any of those players back could expedite a final decision on any further roster moves.