WHEN THE RAIDERS HAVE THE BALL
ON THE GROUND
Latavius Murray (52 carries, 248 yards, two TDs) reminds Del Rio of Forte, a pretty high compliment. ‘‘A lot like Forte, he’s got the ability to slash and be a threat in the running game and he’s got finish speed,’’ Del Rio said. A sixthround draft pick in 2013 out of Central Florida, Murray rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, including a 54-yard run, last week against the Browns. The Bears are tied for 28th against the run (136 yards per game). Nose tackle Jeremiah Ratliff is expected to return after a three-game suspension. That should help, but the Bears’ overall lack of speed in their 3-4 defense makes any opponent a threat in the run game.
X-FACTOR
PLAYERS TOWATCH
The Raiders are getting the kind of production from rookie receiver Amari Cooper that the Bears hoped they would get from injured Kevin White, who was taken three picks later in the first round. Cooper leads all receivers with 175 yards after catch. Cornerback Kyle Fuller will be challenged by Cooper or Michael Crabtree. ‘‘He’s just playing a little better,’’ DC Vic Fangio said. Just how healthy will the Bears be? For a team that made it a point to avoid injuries under the new regime by revamping its training staff and adding a sports-science coordinator and dietitian, the Bears have an awful lot of injuries. Even if Cutler (hamstring, questionable) plays, it’s unlikely he’ll be 100 percent. Bushrod, who is out with a concussion and a shoulder injury, has been banged up since the offseason program. Jeffery (hamstring, questionable) can’t get healthy or stay healthy. Punter Pat O’Donnell suffered a knee injury during a 10-punt game against the Seahawks. Fox doesn’t think it’s an issue, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t.
IN THE AIR
The Raiders have a quarterback they can build around in Derek Carr, a second-round pick in 2014 who started all 16 games as a rookie (76.6 rating). This season, his completion percentage is up from .582 to .632 and he has thrown five TD passes and only one INT for a 102.4 rating. Better weapons have helped. Cooper, the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, has 20 catches for 290 yards and one TD, and Crabtree has 18 catches for 184 yards and one TD. Receiver Seth Roberts and fullback Marcel Reese each have two TD catches. Former Bears OC Mike Tice has put together an offensive line (including ex-Bear J’Marcus Webb at right guard) that has allowed one sack in three games.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Coordinator Jeff Rodgers and the coverage units are on the spot after a disastrous game against the Seahawks that featured a 64-yard punt return by Richard Sherman and a 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Tyler Lockett. The Bears have allowed three of the five longest kickoff returns in the NFL this season— 108, 105 and 46 yards— all by rookies. The Bears cut safety Brock Vereen and signed safety Chris Prosinski and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds, both of whom have special-teams experience in the NFL. The Raiders’ Taiwan Jones has a long kickoff return of 35 yards this season, and TJ Carrie has a long punt return of 11 yards. With P Pat O’Donnell injured (knee), the Bears signed Spencer Lanning, who is expected to punt vs. the Raiders.