Bears Season Pulse Check
The Chicago Bears are 1-2 three games into the 2025 season. In the first two weeks of the season the Bears suffered from penalty woes, and poor defensive performances giving up the most points in the league through two games. Last week they took on the struggling Dallas Cowboys at home and the Bears showed up big winning 31-14 to give head coach Ben Johnson his first NFL win. As I mentioned in last weeks preview, these next two weeks would be critical. With part 1 complete with a win against the Cowboys the Bears are now onto phase 2, another must win in order to go 2-2 into their week 5 bye.
Cowboys vs. Bears Recap and Takeaways
The Bears offense showed up. Specifically, the offensive line, who didn’t allow a single sack on Caleb Williams (the first time ever in his NFL career) and no pre-snap penalties. Caleb also showed up big throwing for 4 TD’s and 142.6 passer rating. It was glorious to see him perform as the Heisman trophy winner, number one overall pick that we’ve been waiting for. This was the best game of Williams’ career no question, and it was also a chance for Ben Johnson to settle in with multiple gadget and explosive plays.
The best part of the offense bar none was the Bears first possession of the 2nd half. After the Bears defense forced a punt the offense took over on their own 24 yard line. They marched down the field taking up 9:54 of clock, on 17 plays, having 11 straight runs at one point, and capping it off with a touchdown. Never in my 28 years of life as a Bears fan have I ever seen a Chicago offense look this competent and I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear.
It wasn’t all offense though. Defensively the Bears played well limiting Dallas explosive offense to 275 yards passing with 3 interceptions, and 121 yards rushing with 1 forced and recovered fumble. Tremaine Edmunds snagged two picks along with one for Kevin Byard III and Tyrique Stevenson ripping the ball away from Javonte Williams. Hopefully this defense can continue to get better and produce more as the season progresses but it all starts next week with the Raiders.
Bears vs. Raiders Preview
Bears Offense: After 3 weeks the Bears offense is currently averaging 347.0 YPG (10th) in the NFL and averaging 25.3 PPG (9th)in the NFL. Based on the eye test I am not ready to say that they are a top 10 offensive unit, even though these numbers are attractive. As mentioned previously, it was beautiful to watch them work in the 3rd quarter last week. The reason I need to continue to see more is because they are prone to having drives stall, beat themselves with penalties, and Caleb misses badly on easy throws. All things that they can continue to fix and improve on.
Bears Defense: The defense is currently averaging 387.0 YPG allowed (29th)in the NFL, and 31.0 PPG allowed (28th) in the NFL. This unit is very hit or miss for me this season and has missed most of the time. Giving up these many points/ yards through 3 weeks is absurd for the 5th highest paid defensive unit in the NFL. Now before we say how terrible they are, they did have an atrocious game against a scorned Lions team with something to prove giving up 511 yards, and 52 points, which accounts for why those numbers are so inflated.
Make no mistake they did earn those rankings but through twelve quarters one terrible week can make the season look very lopsided. The part that scares me the most besides injuries, is that the run defense has been awful. The Bears are extremely vulnerable on the ground giving up 5.5 YPC and allowing 139.3 YPG. This doesn’t bode well going against top 10 pick and Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty.
Raiders Season: The quick stats for the Raiders entering week 4 are: Offense: 320.3 YPG (16th), 17.7 PPG (26th), and Defense: 351.0 YPG allowed (24th), 24.7 PPG allowed (21st). Last week the Raiders and specifically Geno Smith struggled to protect the ball last week against the Commanders with 3 INTs, and the offensive line allowing 12 sacks thus far this season. Dennis Allen will have to scheme up some blitz’s this weekend to get to Geno and the befuddled Raiders offensive line so that they force the pass game vs allow Jeanty to run all over them.
Matchups to Watch
Caleb Williams vs. Raiders Pass Rush (Led by Maxx Crosby). The most pivotal matchup centers on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week, against a Raiders defensive front anchored by Maxx Crosby, who led the NFL in pressures in the 2023 season. Williams is coming off a career-best performance against Dallas, completing 67.9% of his passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns, with a pristine 142.6 passer rating and zero sacks.
However, the Raiders defense has recorded at least one sack in 38 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Crosby, who has averaged 1.1 sacks per game since 2023, will test Chicago’s offensive line, which ranks 3rd in pass protection efficiency since last season. The Bears have allowed just six sacks through three games (T-5th in NFL), but they’ll face a Raiders unit that blitzes on 28.4% of dropbacks and ranks 10th in pressure rate.
Williams’ ability to extend plays and throw on the move will be critical along with a good showing from the offensive line if the Bears are to leave Vegas with a dub.
Bears Run Defense vs. Ashton Jeanty. The Bears’ run defense has been leaky, allowing 139.3 rushing yards per game (26th in NFL) and 5.5 yards per carry (30th). This sets up a potential breakout game for Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who has more yards after contact (145) than total rushing yards (144) through three games. That stat underscores both his elusiveness and the Raiders’ offensive line struggles.
Jeanty is averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt, but Chicago has surrendered 418 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns already. If Las Vegas can establish the run early, it will open up play-action opportunities for Geno Smith, who has a 132.7 passer rating when throwing off play-action this season.
The Bears’ front seven, led by Montez Sweat and Grady Jarret, must improve their gap discipline and tackling efficiency. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, a former Raiders head coach, will likely dial up run blitzes to contain Jeanty, but that could expose the secondary to deep shots if Smith has time.
Rome Odunze vs. Eric Stokes and the Raiders Secondary. Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has emerged as one of the NFL’s breakout stars in 2025, with 16 receptions for 227 yards and four touchdowns through three games. His 14.2 yards per catch and 25% target share make him a focal point of Ben Johnson’s vertical passing scheme.
Odunze will likely be shadowed by Eric Stokes, the Raiders’ top cornerback, who has been inconsistent this season. Stokes has allowed a 67.4 passer rating when targeted and has recorded 2 pass breakups. The Raiders secondary ranks 24th in pass defense, allowing 237.0 yards per game and four passing touchdowns.
If Odunze wins his one-on-one battles, especially on intermediate and deep routes, it could tilt the game in Chicago’s favor. The Raiders may rotate safety Jeremy Chinn over the top, but that risks leaving tight end Cole Kmet or receiver Luther Burden III in favorable matchups underneath.
In Sum
In what promises to be a pivotal moment in the early arc of the 2025 season, the Chicago Bears are poised to secure a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. A result that would not only even their record at 2-2 heading into the bye week but also signal a potential turning point under head coach Ben Johnson. Ultimately, the Bears’ offensive firepower, combined with a defense that is eager to improve especially against the run, should be enough to outpace a Raiders team still searching for consistency. I like the Bears winning 34-24, validating the progress made but also injecting renewed optimism into a season that began on shaky ground.
