Chicago Bears @ Las Vegas Raiders: Week 4 Players to Watch

The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 4 in Chicago will be no different. The Bears limp into this one with a lengthy injury report, including many key players on both sides of the ball, particularly defense. That said, the offense, especially the line, showed marked improvements in week 3. What does that mean for the players I will be focused on this week, though?

In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any QBs, and you also won’t see any star defensive players like Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.

No, these are more of the unsung variety. Yet, often just as critical to the success of the team.

Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears.

Offense: D’Andre Swift, RB

With just 1 TD and 149 yards with a subpar 3.5 yard average, Swift has simply not been getting it done. Granted, the new look offensive line is still rounding into form and gelling as a unit, but when the team averages a pathetic 3.0 yards per carry in their latest game against a below-average Cowboys run defense, there is reason for concern. Enter the Raiders who are coming off a game where they let up more than 200 yards on the ground for a 6.3 yard average and 3 rushing TD’s and the opportunities should be there in Vegas. If Ben can get Swift in space and the OL can do their job, I expect some big chunk yards for the former Georgia Bulldog in his best game of the year in a Bears win. If we cannot get Swift and the run game going, it could put too much on Caleb and Co. on offense which is not a pleasant place to be with Maxx Crosby ready to tee off as a pass-rusher.

Defense: Jaquan Brisker, S

I felt Brisker led the charge last week for the Bears defense with his intensity and physicality. While he was fingertips away from his own turnover (thanks to Tremaine Edmunds) Brisker is due for a big play this week. Chicago will need his physicality in run support and likely some coverage on young Pro Bowler, Brock Bowers in the passing game. If Brisker can make his mark in a good way (avoiding critical penalties or mistakes) then Chicago’s defense should do enough in this one to even their record before the BYE. If he gets victimized – it will be a long day in Vegas.

Las Vegas Raiders

Offense: Ashton Jeanty, RB

Jeanty was everyone’s top back in this class coming out, mine included, and has yet to live up to his billing as what many considered to be “generational” talent. That said, his offensive line has not helped him out much as he has accumulated 144 total yards with 145 yards earned after contact. Leading the league, by far, in the percentage of his accumulated rush yards after contact with 101%. Though he scored in week 1, Jeanty has been held out of the endzone since and looks to get back on track at home against the Bears. If Chicago’s run defense can step up and do a better job than they have all season the Bears should contain the former Heisman finalist. But if not, he could remind the football world why he was rated so high.

Defense: Jeremy Chinn, S/LB

Fresh off a 2 year $16+ million contract, Chinn brings a nastiness and versatile skillset to the Raiders faithful. Come up in crushing run support or covering backs, TE’s and even elite WR like Ladd McConkey pictured above, Chinn is another weapon for a defense that Chicago will have to account for. Obviously the biggest concern this week is how Chicago will manage Maxx Crosby without Darnell Wright, but if Caleb and crew can avoid any big plays to the former Southern Illinois alum, they should be more than equipped to put up points.

What about you? Which players on both sides will you be focusing on against in Vegas this week? Let us know in the comments!

Recap from Week 3:

Bears O – DJ Moore, WR: Only 28 total yards on 3 carries and 4 catches but he did have a score.

Bears D – Gervon Dexter, Sr.: Only 1 tackle and 1 QBH, but he did pressure Dak a few times and ultimately was a part of a defense that let up only 14 points with 4 turnovers.

Cowboys O – George Pickens, WR: 5 catches for 86 yards and a score. Much less of an impact than expected, especially with Ceedee Lamb going down early.

Cowboys D – Jack Sanborn, LB: 7 tackles, 3 solo with no impact plays.

Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:

Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L

Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L

Week 3. Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor. W