The Las Vegas Raiders will host the Chicago Bears in Week 4 after coming off two straight losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.
Given that both teams allow a lot of yards and points, this game is expected to be an offensive shootout between solid offenses.
The Raiders haven’t gotten quality performances from their offensive line and as a result have nerfed rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty has 144 yards on 47 carries, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry.
The good news is that the Bears’ run defense isn’t the greatest, and though they may stand a better chance than their depleted secondary to get a stop, the Raiders should be force-feeding Jeanty touches to unlock his untapped potential.
Getting contributions from Jeanty and the running game will open up the passing game, which Chicago has been vulnerable at defending. Quarterback Geno Smith is known for slinging passes down field, and without star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, Raiders receivers may have a field day.
But on the defensive side for the Raiders, they will have their hands full trying to stop QB Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
Williams has had a great sophomore season thus far, completing 63.4 percent of passes for 715 yards, seven passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and just one interception.
His top target has been receiver Rome Odunze, who has caught 16 of 27 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns.
While Odunze has assumed the WR1 role for Chicago, receiver DJ Moore is projected to have a big day by ESPN’s Seth Walder.
“ESPN's receiver scores returned this week, and Moore was surprisingly the No. 1 player,” Walder wrote Saturday. “It was a surprise considering Moore's start to the season has been relatively pedestrian: 12 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. But the open score indicates Moore (and perhaps the scheme) has been doing its job, so there could be a whole lot more yards in his future.
“The spike could start as soon as this week. Though Moore moves around in his alignment, he plays as an outside receiver on the left side more than anywhere else. That should match him up against Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, who has allowed 1.5 yards per coverage snap, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That is not only much higher than average for an outside corner, but it's also the highest among Raiders defenders with at least 75 coverage snaps this season.”
Especially without rookie tight end Colston Loveland (hip), Moore could explode after being mostly quiet this season.
Las Vegas has a tall task this week, but if the offense can get Jeanty going early, they have a great chance of defeating Chicago.