Bears Keys to Victory Include Patience

Bears coach Matt Eberflus couldn't have spelled it out any clearer.

Asked this week what he needs to see from undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent, Eberflus didn't need to think long.

"Yeah, just the operation of the offense," Eberflus said. "If we just operate the offense and the put the ball where it needs to go on time, it's gonna be a good day.

"So that's what he needs to do and he's done a good job with that all week. He's got confidence. He's got poise and he had a good week of practice. So just do that on Sunday."

It sounds simple but even Bears starter Justin Fields has struggled at it during the season.

It isn't as simple as it sounds. It also means they need to call plays, formations and motions easily run by a player who hasn't been in the attack all year.

Bagent said he told coaches he can run whatever they call when he went in last week.

It's admirable but even offensive coordinator Luke Getsy had to admit it's probably a stretch.

"To say that he has full command of everything that we have, that's probably a little bit optimistic," Getsy said.

The offense will have to be altered. The degree depends upon Bagent. His work ethic and ability to comprehend it all quickly make this possible.

"It's really cool and rare in the sense of, when you're out there looking for guys to build your team around and fill your roster with, you want guys like that who are going to come in here and have that approach when they get here," Getsy said. "He was relentless, he still is and I think that's what's given him a chance."

They can apply this approach by sticking to the three keys for this game.

3. Come Ready to Go the Distance

In other words, don't feel the need to gamble early, even if they aren't leading. Wild, rash decisions by the quarterback can lead to mistakes like last week's fumble or interceptions.

The Raiders defense hasn't given up a successful play—a first-down play picking up 40% of the distance to the first down, a second-down play gaining 60% of the distance to the sticks or third and fourth down plays to the sticks—in the first quarter of any game all year. They're very tough to beat in the early parts of games and are ready to dominate. It's a tribute to Patrick Graham's preparation.

On the other hand, the Raiders last week allowed the Patriots to run the ball for successful plays on all their second-half rushing attempts. It was the worst effort in the league last week. In other words, they wear down.

Stay close and wear them down.

2. Simplicity Is Bliss

They can't be doing complicated things on offense with Bagent at quarterback. The hot receivers need to be in places where they can be easily accesses. They need to limit the amount of trick plays or timing plays because a new passer will not have worked at those types of things since preseason.

"It'll look different for sure just because you've always gotta play to the strength of who's got the ball in their hands at quarterback and we're certainly gonna do that," Eberflus said.

The player with the ball doesn't have the quicks like Fields does. When Maxx Crosby beats Darnell Wright on a pass rush, he's heading straight for the rookie.

So the ball needs to come out in time and they can't get too complicated with numerous double moves on routes.

They're going to need fewer receivers in the routes, as well, because they'll need extra blockers in to handle the rush from Crosby and others because their own line has problems with personnel changes.

Quick, simple and throw it away if necessary, because they got into trouble against Minnesota when both Fields and Bagent held the ball too long and linemen eventually gave up on blocks.

1. Play to Strengths

The Bears failed at this miserably last week after being so good at it in Washington.

They are at their best when wide receivers are catching the ball and running after the catch. They're averaging 6.1 yards after the catch, second best in the NFL. Conversely, the Raiders are allowing 5.8 yards after catches and that's second-worst in the NFL.

The goal should be getting it to DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney or Tyler Scott, or even Velus Jones Jr., in spots where they might break a tackle or elude one, leading to a bigger play.

By doing this, the catch and run lets them hurt the Raiders where they are weakest.

Last week the Bears came in facing a Vikings team worst in the league by far at limiting opposing wide receivers. The Bears didn't try to get it to their wide receivers enough.

This week it needs to be an emphasis on run after the catch by wide receivers, by backs and tight ends to hurt the Raiders where they've been most vulnerable.

Defensively it works the same way. The Raiders have been solid protecting the quarterback in the middle of the line but one side can be beaten, as Khalil Mack showed.

There's no need to gamble in this one blitzing wildly. Hoyer isn't an accurate enough passer or fast enough runner to do the spectacular even if a few of his receivers can do it.

The patient approach wins on defense, too, and playing zone patiently is this defense's strength.

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