D’Andre Swift rushed for a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown with 1:34 remaining and Josh Blackwell blocked a potentially game-winning kick to boost the visiting Chicago Bears to a 25-24 win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon.
Chicago (2-2) forced four turnovers while overcoming a monstrous effort from Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who finished with 155 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns.
After Swift’s touchdown that marked the game’s fourth lead change, Las Vegas’ Dylan Laube returned the ensuing kickoff 38 yards to the Raiders’ 42. That appeared to put Las Vegas (1-3) in prime field position for a winning field goal, but Blackwell came off the edge to block Daniel Carlson’s 54-yard attempt with 33 seconds left.
Kevin Byard III had two interceptions in the first half for the Bears, who trailed 14-9 at the half.
After Tyrique Stevenson intercepted Raiders quarterback Geno Smith on the first play of the third quarter, Chicago responded with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze. The Bears took a 16-14 lead with the extra point.
Las Vegas regained the advantage on the ensuing possession, marching 80 yards in 10 plays. The Raiders capped the drive with a 9-yard scoring pass from Smith to Jeanty to go ahead 21-16.
The teams traded field goals in the fourth quarter. Chicago held Las Vegas to a 29-yard Carlson kick that made the score 24-19 with 6:45 left, which set up the late heroics.
A combination of penalties — eight for 60 yards — and other miscues helped stunt multiple Chicago drives before that.
Early in the fourth, an early snap on 3rd-and-5 from the Las Vegas 14 whizzed past Williams and caused a 19-yard loss. The Bears settled for a 51-yard Cairo Santos field goal.
Jeanty had 21 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown as part of the Raiders’ 240-yard rushing effort. He also caught a pair of touchdowns from Smith, who was 14-for-21 passing for 117 yards with three interceptions.
Williams finished 22 for 37 for 212 yards with a touchdown and interception. Odunze led the Bears with four catches for 69 yards and became the NFL’s only receiver to catch one touchdown pass in each of the first four weeks this season.
Chicago’s defense generated three first-half turnovers but managed only six points off them on Santos field goals of 46 and 43 yards.
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby recorded his first career interception in the first quarter, spoiling what appeared to at least be a field goal opportunity by snagging his own deflection of a Williams pass.
Chicago’s offensive line kept Williams clean to end the Raiders’ NFL-leading streak of games with at least one sack at 38.
–Field Level Media
