The Raiders looked like they wanted the Bears to leave in body bags but managed to get out of there a bit banged up but with a solid win, they managed to hold the Raiders statistically potent offense to only nine points and showed they have a defense that can put pressure on the QB often, the offense still has lengths to go but it has shown improvement and most importantly their QB is limiting the mistakes that once placed this team in difficult situations.
The offense was limited by the Raiders defense, but the run game shined on this game with the Oline and TEs playing aggressive football, they weren't perfect but when they got things right they punished the Raiders front seven, opening lanes for Damien Williams and rookie Khalil Herbert who ran for several big chunks, putting the offense in more comfortable 3rd down situations although some plays ended up being head scratchers and cost the Bears some momentum. Justin Fields needs to be more careful and take more care of himself, maybe part of the problem is that he is still trying to get comfortable with the game and his decision making, on the play where he got hit on the ribs he was trying to do too much with the spin move rather than just continue running forward or sliding, on the play where he hurt his knee he hesitated to throw a risky short pass or keep running, that hesitation cost him time to escape the pocket resulting in him getting hit from behind forcing him to plant his leg, I believe that his instincts will kick in faster with more playing time. Putting that aside, he continued to make plays, scoring his first TD pass and most importantly he is minimizing the turnovers, he might be taking baby steps but I have no problem with that as long as he maintains the learning curve going up. I would like to see him improve in climbing the pocket very soon.
Upside players: Williams ran the ball very well but it was Herbert who opened eyes with his running ability, David Montgomery can take his time knowing his spot is in good hands. The Oline needs to clean some penalty problems but overall they are getting better and showed in the run game, especially James Daniels on his second level blocking. TEs helping in run blocking was key as well.
Downside players: Allen Robinson is a nitpick for me this week, I would just like to see him win more one on ones when going for the ball on contested catches, Fields is pin point most of the time with his passes, it's just a matter of him taking decisions faster but I expect Robinson to be more dominant.
The defense keeps making themselves known across the league, second unit in sacks produced is something not expected from them but here they are and Sean Desai has as much to do with it as the players. The only thing that is missing is keeping the pressure on in most of the game, maybe it's not a fair request but the secondary needs it especially when they get to face a franchise QB that can see the field or can extend plays and find the holes that are there but are getting hidden by the pass rush and the scheme that masks the defensive play. Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley are hard nose corners that are doing their job as best as possible, but not even Jaylon Johnson who is a better player than them can cover receivers one on one on an island all the time. The return of Danny Trevathan is very good news, he and Alec Ogletree taking turns on plays will benefit both of them to get breathers while not hindering the defensive plays was they are very similar in playing styles.
Upside players: Khalil Mack came in this game with vengeance, even when dealing with some injuries he was exploding from the line on every play, would like to see this intensity on every game if possible. Robert Quinn is keeping it up and even looks to be getting better at bending the edge. It was very nice to see Eddie Goldman knocking defenders back. Angelo Blackson is trying his best to make his team not miss Akiem Hicks too much. Roquan Smith made some key plays on this game even if he was punished with some iffy penalties. Trevis Gipson keeps making plays with the limited snaps he gets, with Jeremiah Attaochu unfortunately getting badly hurt, Gipson will get more changes and hopefully it will result in more splash plays. DeAndre Houston-Carson had a very nice hash to sideline play resulting in an interception, more of that please.
Downside players: Mario Edwards Jr. needs to keep his cool, his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty helped the Raiders get their only TD of the game.
The win cracks open the postseason door, it's still too early to say but next game against the Packers is legit important for the Bears to start thinking about it, a win would place them a top in the division and with a slate of tough opponents, it wouldn't hurt if Fields starts cementing his legacy by beating the arch rival in his first try. Green Bay might be starting to be a shell of its former self but they are still a tough team with Aaron Rodgers leading them, the Bears offense will need to control the ball and score often to keep the defense in high spirit while they try containing Rodgers, the best posible way I think they could do this is by limiting the run game and not get beat deep, keep tight coverage on Davante Adams and rush Rodgers with only four lineman in passing situations, rotating the Dline will be important but it would be even better if Hicks can play in this one. I hate giving Rodgers time to throw but I hate more when they start using screens and bubbles when blitzes are used and Rodgers unorthodox throwing is annoyingly effective on these plays, it would be better to try and pressure him with the minimum and hope for some mistakes to happen and turn them into turnovers. History might still repeat itself as things are now, the Bears showing good defense but not enough offense to get it done, so everything might fall on Fields, can he be the difference now or ever?
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