Johnson is dealing with an arm injury, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Bech caught his sole target for five yards in Thursday night's preseason finale against the 49ers.
Jeanty's ankle injury is being monitored in advance of Week 1, but per head coach Klint Kubiak the Raiders are "counting on him," Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official website reports.
Gay converted four of five field-goal attempts in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers.
Benson failed to catch his only target in Thursday night's preseason finale against the 49ers.
Mayer caught both of his targets for eight yards in Thursday night's 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers.
Nailor brought in two of four targets for 13 yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Tucker secured all three targets for 25 yards in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Mendoza remains in the mix for the Raiders' starting quarterback job along with veteran Kirk Cousins, Vinny Bonsignore of the California Post reports.
Washington rushed eight times for 49 yards and failed to bring in his only target in the Raiders' 18-12 preseason loss to the 49ers on Thursday.
Throughout Caleb Williams first two seasons in the NFL there has been no cohesion with his play to find consistent worthy prop options. I think that begins to change as Williams showed a natural ability in growth in Ben Johnson’s offense. The Raiders are also a defense that has a bend approach that should be beneficial for Rome Odunze. Take his over in receiving yards.
The Bears have allowed 27 targets and 24 catches to opposing tight ends. Michael Mayer (concussion) won't play, so this should be a big game for Brock Bowers as he moves further the knee injury he suffered in Week 1. Look for Bowers to record at least 60 receiving yards.
Both offenses in this game have the flair for the explosives, but in a way it is easier to trust and believe in the Bears offense as opposed to the Raiders. Major reason is the mobility of Caleb Williams and the Bears offensive line, in my opinion, is in much better shape than the Raiders. Look for Chicago to come up big here in this spot.
If the crowd is anything like the last time the Bears played in Las Vegas back in October 2021, it might feel like Soldier Field West for Ben Johnson's bunch that finally got in the win column last week. Unlocking explosive rookie wideout Luther Burden III, who caught his first TD of the season last Sunday vs. Dallas, adds another potential dynamic element to the cast of weapons at the disposal of Caleb Williams. Meanwhile the Raiders offense has hardly looked smooth, with Geno Smith often forced from the pocket as he looks for downfield targets to get open...if they ever get open. The "Ashton Jeanty influence" for the offense has been mostly rumor, too. Play Bears
Ben Johnson’s offense finally woke up against a porous Cowboys defense last week, and may continue trending up against a sub-par Raiders defensive unit here. However, it is Chicago’s defense and injuries that are the biggest concern. They have the worst pass defense in the NFL next to Dallas, and will likely remain without CBs Jaylon Johnson & Kyler Gordon. Chicago is also still without impact LB T.J Edwards, and are now missing veteran DT Grady Jarrett. Geno Smith should carve up this undermanned Bears defense. After losing two or more consecutive games, Raiders HC Pete Carroll is 22-5-1 ATS in his career. Back Vegas.
Jakobi Meyers only had three receptions last week (still 63 yards), as Tre Tucker took over against Washington. But Meyers still has a 25% target share for the Raiders. And now he has a great matchup against the Bears at home. The Bears give up 11.9 yards/target to slot receivers, which is 31st in the league. He exceeded this line in the first two weeks and was right at this line last week. I think he sails over his receiving line against the Bears this week.
The Raiders were in an impossible situation last week, traveling cross-country on a short week to face a Commanders' team that had 10 days' rest. The Bears have ruled out right tackle Darnell Wright, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and linebacker T.J. Edwards. Corner Kyler Gordon is questionable with a hamstring injury that has kept him out all season. Geno Smith and Brock Bowers should feast on this Chicago pass defense.
I’m here to pump the breaks on Tre Tucker who has gotten off to a hot start, however he appears to be a significant negative regression candidate. Tucker has been ultra efficient and is averaging more FPOE than any WR in the NFL. I think 4 receptions is a big ask considering he’s at best third in the pecking order.
I hit Rome Odunze's Anytime TD Scorer last week, as I gave it out here on SportsLine. I'm going back to the well, as the price is still +135. He's scored in all three of the games to start the NFL season, with four touchdowns total. He has a 28.4% target share and 36% of the Bears' red zone targets. He gets another good matchup against the Raiders indoors Sunday. I love this price for Odunze to find the endzone again!
This is a buy low, sell high situation for me. The Raiders were in an awful spot before the game even kicked off last week in Washington, off a short week, traveling east, against a team on extra rest playing at home. Now they return home against a bad run defense in Chicago where their rookie, Ashton Jeanty, can get rolling. The Bears looked great in a win at home over Dallas but who doesn't that Dallas defense make look good? Chicago is not a great team, they are injured, and they are even worse on the road. It is telling that LV is favored. Pete Carroll showed that he can handle Ben Johnson in beating Detroit in overtime 37-31 back in 2023 with Seattle.
Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty hasn't really gotten going yet, but the Bears rank near the bottom against the run in allowing 5.5 yards per carry and have surrendered three rushing TDs. Guess I prefer this to O/U 17.5 carries or 67.5 rush yards because it only takes one carry and 1 yard to score. And it's not out of the question Jeanty has a receiving score.
The Bears are coming off an impressive win against the Cowboys, but the Raiders defense hasn't been nearly as bad and struggled last week with the Washington run game. That part of the offense has been an issue for Chicago thus far, so this figures to be more like one of Vegas' first two games where they allowed just 13 and 20 points. The Bears defense is a major issue with the injuries at cornerback, and Geno Smith have success moving the ball, as the Cowboys got into scoring territory six times last week despite no targets to CeeDee Lamb. It's a good spot to fade the Bears while expecting a Raiders rebound.
After Week 1 performance that saw Brock Bowers go off for 100+ yards he’s had a pair of middling games that can largely be attributed to a knee injury. Bowers has been a full participant in practice for the first time since Week 1 which certainly is an indication he could be at full strength. This is also a great matchup versus a Chicago pass defense ranked 23 in EPA per dropback and 26th in Success Rate. Raiders backup TE is also highly Questionable this week and it’s worth noting Geno Smith has been quoted this week saying he needs to get Bowers more targets. I’d play this up to 57.5.
