Chicago Bears Week 4 Preview

🏈: Bears @ Vegas

📍:Allegiant Stadium

📅:Sept 28th 3:25

Line: Vegas -1.5

📺:CBS

Week 4 Preview 

The Chicago Bears enter Week 4 riding the momentum of their first win of the season, a dominant 31-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a complete team performance across all phases, a much-needed bounce-back after their embarrassing showing against the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Head coach Ben Johnson’s squad looked sharper, more disciplined, and finally delivered on the promise that had eluded them early in the season.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders continue to spiral. After failing to reach double digits in a 13-9 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2, the Raiders were thoroughly outclassed by the Washington Commanders in Week 3,and that was without rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels on the field. The offense has struggled to find any rhythm, and the defense hasn’t provided much resistance.

Heading into Week 4, as the Bears head to Sin City they are trending up, while the Raiders look like a team searching for answers on both sides of the ball.

Our Bears: Trending Up Behind Caleb & Co.

Caleb Williams is starting to show the strides Bears fans have been hoping for. While he hasn’t been perfect, the progress is obvious and promising. Last week against Dallas, Williams delivered his best game yet as a pro, completing 19 of 28 passes for 298 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, finishing with a 142.6 passer rating.

On the season, his numbers are starting to look impressive:

63.4% completion rate 715 pass yards 7 TDs / 1 INT 107.6 passer rating 67.2 QBR

Plus, he's added a rushing touchdown and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry

The former No. 1 overall pick is beginning to look the part, and with a juicy Week 4 matchup against the struggling Raiders, Williams has a prime opportunity to keep building momentum.

The Caleb-to-Rome Connection 🔥

Wide receiver Rome Odunze is emerging as one of the league’s most dangerous weapons. He currently leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns and continues to build strong chemistry with Caleb. His size, route running, and catch radius make him a matchup nightmare and Las Vegas may not have an answer for him. If that connection continues to develop, it could be a long day for the Raiders’ secondary.

Defensive Questions and Hope:

The big question: Can the Bears defense stack another strong performance? They looked revitalized in the win over Dallas, flying to the ball, playing with energy.

They'll need more of the same against a Raiders offense that’s been sputtering. Through three weeks, Geno Smith and the Raiders are averaging just 17.7 points per game, and Smith has already thrown 4 interceptions. Meanwhile, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, as the ground game continues to struggle.

That said, run defense remains a major concern for Chicago. If they can "build the wall" early and make Vegas one-dimensional, it could be the key to controlling the game. Stopping Jeanty on early downs will be critical.

Tremaine Edmunds, Gervon Dexter, and Montez Sweat all had impact performances last week, and they will be looking to build off that. The Bears could be in a strong position to smother another inconsistent offense. It’s still early, but this Bears team especially the core can consistently starting to show signs of life ahead of the returns of Gordon and Edwards would be incredibly impressive and a lift for Dennis Allen and company.

Las Vegas Raiders: Scouting Report Ahead of Week 4 vs. Chicago:

The Raiders were exposed in Week 3, surrendering 41 points and over 400 total yards to a Washington squad without Jayden Daniels. While Vegas looked more competent defensively in Weeks 1 and 2, the overall picture isn’t promising: opponents are averaging 351 yards per game and moving the ball at 6.2 yards per play, this us among the worst in the league.

Marcus Mariota gave Vegas fits last week, both on the ground and through the air. He went 15-of-21 for 200 yards, added 40 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown. With Caleb Williams up next, it's a clear step up in talent!  Vegas’ defense will be tested in a big way.

Key Matchups to Watch:

🏈Ashton Jeanty vs. Bears Front Seven

Jeanty has been the engine of this Raiders offense, averaging 17+ touches per game and looking more explosive each week. If the Bears aren’t sound in their gap integrity or tackling, this could be Jeanty’s breakout game. The Raiders' offensive line has been solid in pass protection, but they’ve struggled to open holes, and it shows. Vegas is the only team in the NFL averaging negative yards before contact in the run game at -0.05 YBC/ that's worst in the league. That’s a stat the Bears must exploit! 

🧱 Brock Bowers vs. Bears Linebackers/Safeties:

This is a tight end that can torch the Bears. Last week, Jake Ferguson pulled in 13 receptions for 82 yards. In Week 2, Sam LaPorta/Brock Wright found similar success working the middle of the field. (6 rec 54 1TD 9YPC) Now enters Brock Bowers, a generational talent who can tilt the field from the TE spot. If Chicago doesn’t shore up this soft spot in coverage, Bowers could take over the game.

🛡️Maxx Crosby vs. Bears OL:

On defense, the Raiders' clear X-factor is Maxx Crosby. He has the ability to wreck an entire game plan if not accounted for on every snap. The Bears must be sharp in pass protection, and likely need to chip or double him often. If Crosby gets loose, Caleb Williams could be under fire all afternoon.

What the Raiders Need to Do to Win:

For Las Vegas to come out on top, their defensive line has to stay disciplined, especially when rushing Caleb Williams. That means maintaining lane integrity and wrapping up, no missed tackles. Offensively, they need Jeanty to find daylight early, and Bowers to exploit mismatches in the Bears' coverage schemes.

Under the radar players to keep an eye on:

Raiders and Bears rookies D'onte Thornton Jr./Luther Burden.

Both have game changing ability.  Both Patrick Graham and Dennis Allen the D coordinators should be aware where these guys are on every play.

Key Stat for the Bears to Win: 

Chicago Bears Week 4 preview 

Geno Smith is the 2nd-most sacked QB in the league. Front 7 needs to cash in.

Vegas averaging 3.1 yards/carry this year, 30th in the NFL.

Bears allowing 5.5 yards/carry this year, 31st in the NFL. 

Establishing the Bears run game. The Vegas defense has allowed just one opposing runner to score more than 14.5 fantasy points against them since Week 12 2024

🔮The Prediction:

This is a trap game for the Bears. The Raiders are not a good football team and the Bears are better, but the Raiders have two game-wreckers in Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby. The Bears have an early bye next week. The game being in Vegas makes this road game a must win.

This is a good "prove-it" moment for Chicago’s front seven. If they get bullied here, this would very well decide the game for the Chicago Bears.

I do expect a bounce-back performance from the Raiders defense on some level, whom just got embarrassed by Marcus Mariota

Bears need to not let Jeanty find even find a little rhythm, with his burst and contact balance he can turn a 2-yard play into 12-yard one. The Bears can't afford to give him that early confidence. If they tighten up their run fits and stay disciplined at the second level, they can make Vegas one-dimensional and that's where the Bears want this game.

I do honestly believe though this is a prime spot for the Bears to continue to build on the momentum they generated against the Cowboys. Las Vegas, at this point, is far too inconsistent to back, especially with such a small line. Slam the Moneyline back the Bears. 

🐻Bears 27  🎰Vegas 17