The Chicago Bears (3-1) are headed to London to play the Oakland Raiders (2-2) on Sunday, which will mark the first time Khalil Mack gets to face his former team as he looks to continue his success with his new team.
The Bears are coming off an impressive 16-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings, which they accomplished missing six starters, including their starting QB Mitch Trubisky.
But Chicago’s defense showed that they can take control of a game and win it for their offense when needed. They’ll be looking to repeat last week’s performance against the Raiders before heading into a much-needed bye week.
Here are three causes for concern as the Bears prepare to face the Raiders in Week 5:
1. INJURIES
Injuries didn’t seem to be a problem for the Bears last Sunday against the Vikings, but there’s no denying that when you’re playing without several key starters that you’re missing something.
The Bears will be without starting QB Mitch Trubisky, who suffered a dislocated left shoulder that isn’t expected to keep him out long. Backup Chase Daniel, who relieved him against the Vikings, will get the start against the Raiders, and he’ll need to simply do enough to let the defense take care of the game.
Speaking of defense, DL Akiem Hicks (knee) and LB Roquan Smith (personal) are expected back, but Matt Nagy wouldn’t confirm whether they’ll play. Smith told the media earlier in the week that he would play Sunday, but ultimately that’s up to the coaches.
RG Kyle Long, who has been nursing a hip injury, missed last week’s game against the Vikings. He’s been limited in practice, and it’s possible he returns.
The Bears could decide to play it safe and rest the starters that need to heal up this week and during the bye week. Which means the Bears will need a repeat performance by its reserves.
2. PLAYING IN LONDON
There’s nothing funny about jet lag, especially when you’re preparing to play a football game in another country. But that’s the new challenge the Bears face this week as they prepare for the Raiders.
Usually, teams head to London immediately after their previous game to begin acclimating to the time change. Which is exactly what the Raiders did on Sunday. The Bears, however, didn’t leave for London until Thursday, and they arrive Friday morning just in time to get settled before a late afternoon practice.
Given that there’s a six-hour time difference between Chicago and London, maybe it won’t be as bad as Oakland, which is an eight-hour difference. One thing is for sure, the Bears aren’t going to London to take in the sights. They’ve got their attention focused on taking Club Dub international.
3. BEWARE THE TRAP GAME
There are no gimmes in the NFL, as the Bears learned firsthand last season against the Giants and a Brock Osweiler-led Dolphins team. While there’s no denying that Sunday’s match-up against the Raiders is favorable for the Bears, they have to beware of the trap game.
This isn’t the Raiders team from a season ago, even if their pass rush continues to be obsolete after trading Khalil Mack to the Bears. Yes, this is a Raiders team that got dominated by the same Vikings team the Bears just destroyed, but it’s also a Raiders team that took care of business against the Broncos and Colts.
All Chicago needs to do is go out there and play their game. Trust in the defense, rely on backup QB Chase Daniel to manage the offense and pull out a win to head into the bye sitting pretty at 4-1.
