The Bears Show New Reslience in Win Against the Raiders

Offense Finds a Way

Williams’ stat line certainly was not as strong compared to when he won the NFC Offensive Player of the Week last game against the Dallas Cowboys. He managed just 212 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, along with two fumbles he recovered himself. 

When it mattered most, however, the offense did not flinch. D’Andre Swift, who averaged an inefficient 2.7 yards per carry, capped the game-winning drive with a nifty two-yard scamper on an outside run, his 14th carry of the day. 

“‘These are the moments that he thrives in most,” said Head Coach Ben Johnson of Williams’ game-winning drive. “I think that’s really been the story of his life… And I know he came through for us in a big way.'”

It was not perfect at many points throughout the game, but the final drive showed real poise, a major change from last year.

Defense Creating Opportunities

The Bears’ average starting field position (own 49-yard line) reflected how often the defense delivered. Dennis Allen’s 4-3 scheme, for the second straight week, produced four turnovers. This includes three interceptions of Geno Smith and a fumble recovery, giving the offense short fields and keeping Chicago alive despite struggles on the ground.

Kevin Byard III was everywhere, including two interceptions and a huge third-down stop on rookie Ashton Jeanty’s 3rd-and-1 carry that forced a longer field goal attempt. Those moments swung the game.

The defense was not flawless by any means. Jeanty had his breakout game, gashing Chicago for 138 yards on 21 carries. In fact, Las Vegas’ run game as a whole averaged five more yards per carry than the Bears.

Yet, the defense displayed incredible resiliency and made winning plays in critical moments in times where it likely would have fallen flat last season.

Special Teams Heroics

Yes, Blackwell deserves a ton of credit for making the block. But how about some love for the unsung hero, Scott Daly, the long snapper?

According to Daly, the Raiders’ long snapper has a tell whenever he is about to hike the ball, which allowed Blackwell to time his jump off the line of scrimmage perfectly.

Cairo Santos also chipped in his best performance of the year, going 4/4 on field goals (all from 40+ yards, including two from 50+) and making his lone extra point. Punter Tory Taylor had a strong showing, too, averaging just under 50 yards per punt.

Why It Matters

Last season, the Bears lost these types of games. Getting significantly outgained on the ground, being inefficient through the air, needing special teams to save them, all while dealing with poor clock management and self-inflicted mental errors? That was a recipe for disaster.

This time around, however, it was a recipe for resilience.

“You get in those close games, normally it goes the other way,” Byard admitted. “So I think for us to be able to pull that out… it’s just huge for our team to get that monkey off our back.”

That is the bigger story. Chicago does not have to win pretty anymore. With discipline and execution across all three phases, the Bears can grind out results. And that’s what makes them different.

As for Johnson, he continues to display passion in the locker room, and his players feed off it. He moves to 2-0 against coaches in their first year with their team. He also surpasses former head coach Matt Eberflus in road Sunday wins (Johnson is 1-1; Eberflus was 0-18).

Bears fans who are so accustomed to heartbreaking losses, make sure to enjoy this win. It sure is nice to be on the other side of things for once.