Tyson Bagent and D’Onta Foreman deliver the Bears’ first home win in over a year. They were merciless against the uninspired Raiders.
Chicago Bears (2-5) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-4): 30-12
Nobody really believed in a comeback from the Raiders, trailing by 18 points with 6 minutes remaining. But when Brian Hoyer (17/32, 129 yards, 0 TD, 2 int) threw a nasty interception into the hands of Jaylon Johnson on the first play of the drive, returned for a touchdown, the mass was said. Especially since Aidan O’Connell (10/13, 1 TD, 1 int), returned following this error, imitated him with an interception also thrown towards… Jaylon Johnson. Behind, Chicago was enough to maintain the guideline of the evening: ensure the minimum. And do it well.
Quite quickly in the meeting, Tyson Bagent (21/29, 162 yards, 1 TD) seemed much more in control than his counterpart of the day. Without being transcendent, the rookie from Sheperd in the 2nd division showed a great ability to make the right decisions: not losing the ball, not taking too many sacks (only one), running when necessary (24 yards).
It must be said that Brian Hoyer, in addition to not finding his targets, was not helped by his ground game: only 39 yards including 35 for Josh Jacobs. Where Chicago was much more efficient with 173 yards rushing. And with much more efficient timer management.
The attacks were frankly not exceptional this evening. But that of Chicago had the decency to be regular. One touchdown per quarter, the first three scored by D’Onta Foreman (16 races, 89 yards, 2 TD – 3 rec, 31 yards 1 TD), running and in the air. Then the interception returned for a touchdown by Jaylon Johnson.
On the Raiders side, we waited until the last quarter to enter the end zone thanks to Jakobi Meyers (7 rec, 50 yards, 1 TD). Davante Adams could have been the lucky one but he let the ball slip away at the start of the fourth quarter, already almost sealing the fate of the match.
Chicago makes a series of mistakes, Las Vegas does not benefit from them
By leading 14-3 at the break, then 21-3 at the start of the last quarter, the Bears were in an armchair to conclude without trembling. But the recurring penalties (9 for 110 yards) gave the Raiders a semblance of hope. Just a semblance because Las Vegas has never managed to capitalize on these mistakes.
The entry of O’Connell at the end of the match did not change the situation despite a drive led at the end when it no longer really mattered. The Bears had also decided not to make any more effort: 3 full-center races to run out the clock. Then celebrate this first victory in Chicago since September 25… 2022! Who will be lined up as QB next week in Chicago? Matt Eberflus is going to have a lot to think about this week.
