The Chicago Bears (3-1) will head overseas to battle the Oakland Raiders (2-2) in a Week 5 match-up that pits Khalil Mack against the team that traded him away last season.
While the Bears will be without starting QB Mitch Trubisky, they’re taking their dominant defense international. Mack has revenge on his mind (even if he won’t say it), and the rest of this Chicago defense is looking to continue its impressive streak.
Here are four bold predictions for the Bears’ Week 5 contest versus the Raiders.
1. Bears defense shuts out the Raiders offense
The Bears defense has been a dominating force this season, which comes as no surprise. But what does come as a surprise is that this unit hasn’t forced a shutout — last season or this season,
Chicago is allowing an average 11.5 points per game over the first quarter of the season. The most points they’ve given up this season was 15 against the Redskins, in what was an entire second half of garbage time. They’ve given up 10 points to the Packers, 14 points to the Broncos and, most recently, 6 points to the Vikings.
Every point is a hard-earned point against this stingy defense. Apparently, they’re searching for that illustrious shutout, which I’m predicting finally comes Sunday against the Raiders.
2. Khalil Mack records 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles vs. Raiders
While Khalil Mack insists that Sunday is just another game, it’s obvious that this one will mean a little more as he takes on his former team with a chance to show them, firsthand, exactly what they missed out on.
Mack has had an MVP-worthy start to his 2019 season, where he has 4.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in the first quarter of the season. Basically, he’s averaging about one sack and one forced fumble per game.
So the fact that I’m suggesting he gets at least a sack and a forced fumble against the Raiders on Sunday isn’t bold enough. Given that there’s a little extra motivation in this game, Mack is not only going to put together a Khalil Mack performance, but better. Give me Mack for 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in what should be a long day for his buddy Derek Carr and the Raiders offensive line.
3. David Montgomery eclipses 100 rushing yards
This isn’t the first time I’ve made this bold prediction, but if it wasn’t considered bold before, it is now. The Bears’ run game has been one of the more disappointing aspects of this offense this season.
Rookie RB David Montgomery is no doubt the workhorse in Chicago’s run game, but he’s failed to eclipse more than 67 yards in any of his first four games. He’s averaging just 3.4 yards per carry behind an offense line that isn’t exactly known for its run blocking ability.
But if there’s a time to get the run game going it’s against the Raiders, who rank in the middle of the pack in run defense allowing 104.5 yards per game. So it wouldn’t be bold to say any other RB would eclipse 100 yards. But on the Bears, it is.
With backup QB Chase Daniel getting the start over the injured Mitch Trubisky, the Bears need to establish the run to take the pressure off Daniel. And I’m guessing (hoping) that this is the week Montgomery finally eclipses that 100-yard mark.
4. WR Javon Wims leads Bears in receiving with 75+ yards
With WR Taylor Gabriel ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Raiders, it’s another opportunity for second-year receiver Javon Wims to step up. Last week against the Vikings, Wims had 4 receptions for 56 yards.
After getting just one target in the first three games this season — once against the Redskins — Wims got five targets against the Vikings. He was second only to Allen Robinson in receiving yards.
Sunday is another opportunity for the Bears to get Wims involved in this offense. Only this time, I’m expecting him to eclipse Robinson in receiving yards with at least 75 yards against the Raiders.
