In what turned out to be a surprising victory, the Oakland Raiders defeated the Chicago Bears in London, 24-21, in Week 5 to head into their bye week at 3-2.
The Bears came into the game as favorites thanks to their vaunted defense led by Khalil Mack, but it was the Raiders who set the tone on both sides of the ball for most of the game. The defense, in particular, was impressive as Chicago’s offense failed to score in the first half.
After a 21-point outburst from the Bears in the third quarter, the game appeared to be slipping away from Oakland before they put together a masterful drive late in the fourth to score and effectively end the game.
The rookies on the team such as Josh Jacobs and Foster Moreau have made huge impacts and head coach Jon Gruden could not help but express how impressed he has been with them and the rest of the Raiders’ young core, via
Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Bay Area:
“I think we’ve been talking about our young players since they’ve been here,” Gruden said after the win. “The kind of effort that they provide and the smartness that they play with — these are smart guys that are doing a lot of different things, playing tough positions. You know, Foster Moreau at the point of attack, pass protecting, catching balls down the field. I can’t say enough about the rookies.”
Jacobs had his best game so far as he finished the day with 26 carries for 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Moreau saw more opportunities in the passing attack and finished with four receptions on five targets for 46 yards, including some huge plays on their late fourth-quarter drive that sealed the game.
Tyrell Williams and Darren Waller have largely carried the offense to start the year, so it was encouraging for Oakland to see some of its young players contribute some meaningful snaps. Antonio Brown’s abrupt departure from the team prior to the year had most around the league call into question just how successful the Raiders could be and they have responded in a huge way.
The win also had major implications in the AFC West as the Raiders now sit at second just behind the Kansas City Chiefs, who lost their first game of the year against an Indianapolis Colts team Oakland beat in Week 4.
After starting the year 1-2, the Silver and Black have rallied around its young roster and they will look to keep that momentum going after they return from their bye week and head to Green Bay to take on the Packers in Week 7.
