LAS VEGAS – All three phases delivered huge plays to lead the Bears to an exhilarating 25-24 victory over the Raiders Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
The defense generated four takeaways, including three interceptions, for the second straight week. Caleb Williams engineered a brilliant 11-play, 73-yard drive that culminated in running back D'Andre Swift's 2-yard touchdown run to put the Bears ahead with 1:34 remaining. And special teams preserved the win when cornerback Josh Blackwell blocked Daniel Carlson's 54-yard field goal attempt with 33 seconds to play.
With their second straight victory, the Bears improved to 2-2.
The Bears took over at their own 31 with 3:39 to play, trailing 24-19. Williams completed 4 of 5 passes for 42 yards on the game-winning drive and rushed twice for 19 yards.
The Raiders responded as Dylan Laube returned the ensuing kickoff 38 yards to the Las Vegas 42. They advanced to the Chicago 35 before Byard dropped Raiders rookie back Ashton Jeanty for a 1-yard loss on third-and-2 to force Carlson's field goal attempt.
Williams completed 22 of 37 passes for 212 yards with one TD, one interception and a 73.3 passer rating.
Jeanty rushed for 138 yards and two TDs on 21 carries for the Raiders.
The Bears defense opened Sunday's game by generating takeaways on the Raiders' first two drives, extending its streak with a takeaway to five consecutive possessions dating back to last weekend's win over the Cowboys.
The first takeaway came on third-and-10. With a huge contingent of Bears fans making it difficult for the Raiders to hear at the line of scrimmage, Raiders quarterback Geno Smith's pass intended for receiver Jakobi Meyers was intercepted by safety Kevin Byard III, who returned it 35 yards to the Las Vegas 24.
The Bears capitalized on the turnover, taking a 3-0 lead on Santos' field goal.
The defense took the ball away again moments later. On fourth-and-1 from the Raiders' 35, defensive tackle Andrew Billings penetrated into the backfield and hit running back Ashon Jeanty. The rookie first-round pick spun around and was drilled by linebacker Noah Sewell, causing a fumble that cornerback Tyrique Stevenson scooped up and returned one yard to the 20.
On the previous play—third-and-1 at the 35—Billings had shoved center Jordan Meredith back into Smith, who was dropped for no gain on a quarterback sneak.
The Bears were unable to convert the second takeaway, however, as Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby deflected and intercepted a Williams pass, returning it 19 yards to the Las Vegas 24.
Smith followed by engineering a 7-play, 66-yard drive that he capped with an 8-yard TD pass to Jeanty, giving the Raiders a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter.
Midway through the second period, Byard registered his second interception of the game and his third in the last three quarters, diving to pick off Smith's pass intended for Meyers, returning it 14 yards to the Las Vegas 24.
But the offense once again was unable to get into the end zone, settling for Santos' 43-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 7-6.
On the Raiders' next play from scrimmage, Jeanty raced around left end for a 64-yard TD run that extended Las Vegas' lead to 14-6 with 4:03 left in the first half.
Santos' third field goal of the game without a miss, a 52-yarder, drew the Bears to within 14-9 with :53 remaining in the half.
On the first play of the second half, Stevenson made a diving interception of a pass for Meyers and returned it three yards to the Las Vegas 40.
This time, the offense capitalized on the takeaway as Williams rifled a 27-yard TD pass to Odunze, giving the Bears a 16-14 lead. After a facemask penalty on Swift, Williams completed passes of 17 yards to receiver DJ Moore and 10 yards to Odunze on third-and-5 to sustain the drive.
The Raiders answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive culminating in Smith's 9-yard TD pass to Jeanty, putting Las Vegas back on top 21-16.
The Bears were in position to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. But on third-and-5 from the Raiders' 14, a shotgun snap slipped past Williams. The quarterback recovered for a 19-yard loss and Santos followed with a 51-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 21-19.
Las Vegas responded by extending its lead to 24-19 on Carlson's 29-yard field goal with 6:45 to play.
The Bears then retook the lead on the 11-play, 73-yard drive before Blackwell blocked the go-ahead field goal attempt to preserve the victory.
After their bye week next week, the Bears will head to Washington, D.C. to take on the Commanders Monday night, Oct. 13.
