Chicago offense vs. Oakland defense

	BEARS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	16
	Pass	7
	Tot. Yds.	12
	Scoring	20
	Int's allowed	29
	Sacks allowed	14
	RAIDERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	3
	vs. Pass	30
	Total yds. allowed	27
	Ints.	3
	Sacks	3
	Turnover differential	+2

After a huge Week 1 performance in which both of his starting QBs performed well, offensive coordinator Gary Crowton has to be concerned heading into this contest. Bears' starting QB Shane Matthews struggled last week against the Seahawks, completing just 22 of 42 passes for 212 yards.

The Bears' interior OL had trouble in protection last Sunday, giving up all three sacks. LOG Todd Perry, OC Olin Kreutz, and ROG Chris Villarrial must tighten up against the Raiders' relentless front four, which sacked Minnesota's Randall Cunningham six times last Sunday.

What makes Oakland defensive coordinator Willie Brown's unit so productive is the ability to rotate in players like DT Chuck Osborne and rookie LDE Tony Bryant and simply wear down opponents with hustle.

In their new wide open attack, the Bears often leave their tackles with little help from a running back or tight end, which puts great pressure on LOT Blake Brockermeyer and ROT James Williams. Brockermeyer has held up fairly well the past couple of weeks against some good pass rushers, but RDE Lance Johnstone could give him fits with his speed.

Look for the Bears to use a lot of play-action against run-stuffing MLB Greg Biekert. Biekert has been working on not overplaying the run, but Green Bay and Minnesota both had great success sneaking TEs behind him in coverage. If Biekert does his job on the tight ends and running backs out of the backfield, Matthews and Cade McNown will have a difficult time throwing the ball on CBs Charles Woodson and Eric Allen.

With such inexperience at the quarterback position, it is imperative that the Bears run the football with some effectiveness against the Raiders. RB Curtis Enis does not appear to have the same explosion that he did prior to his knee injury and it might be affecting his ability to break tackles.

Without a quarterback that can execute a vertical passing game, defenses are cheating up on Enis, who has been a workhorse the past two weeks with 55 offensive touches (47 carries, 8 receptions). Enis is barely getting past the line of scrimmage before opposing defenses make first contact, forcing him to work for too many of his yards.

The Raiders held a tough Viking ground game to just 34 yards a week ago because they get great penetration inside with DTs Russell Maryland and Darrell Russell.

Oakland offense vs. Chicago defense

	RAIDERS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	3
	Pass	11
	Tot. Yds.	6
	Scoring	11
	Int's allowed	22
	Sacks allowed	11
	BEARS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	8
	vs. Pass	25
	Total yds. allowed	22
	Ints.	23
	Sacks	8
	Turnover differential	+1

Every offseason, coaches visualize what they want their football team to look like. In last Sunday's upset of the Vikings, the Raiders realized Jon Gruden's vision almost perfectly. Regardless of the opponent, Gruden would like to control the ball on the ground, make the necessary throws in the passing game, and never put Rich Gannon in a position where he needs to win the game. Look for the Raiders to stick to that game plan again this week.

Offensive coordinator Bill Callahan is doing an excellent job of utilizing the different skills of his RBs. For perhaps the first time since becoming a pro, RB Tyrone Wheatley has the confidence of his coaching staff, and the ex-Giant is finally running with authority. Wheatley's inside work behind C Barrett Brooks is the key to this offense. If Wheatley can bang inside, it will soften the edges for Napoleon Kaufman.

The Bears did a nice job agaisnt the run against Kansas City in the opener but struggled last week against Seattle. RDT Mike Wells is coming off a huge game in which he recorded seven tackles and a sack. Wells, who will be matched against LOG Steve Wisnewski, might assume an even greater role this week if LDT Jim Flanigan is unable to play with a hamstring injury. Reserve DT Shane Burton, who will fill-in for Flanigan, is much improved against the run so don't look for the Bears to lay down.

Bears LCB Tom Carter was burned for a long touchdown last week and will be nursing a sore calf on Sunday, so expect the Raiders to go after him. A calf injury is arguably the most prohibitive for a CB because it restricts the ability to plant and drive on the football. The only player in the passing game that will really scare coach Dick Jauron is WR James Jett. Jett's speed is always a factor, and he is often Rich Gannon's first look on safety blitzes.

The Raiders all but ignored their tight ends in the opener, but Gruden made sure that Ricky Dudley and Jeremy Brigham made an impact last week, as the pair combined for four catches and 78 yards. Gannon broke contain many times last week and that possibility will force the Bears to play sound, disciplined football.

Chicago did a great job of creating pressure with their front four last week as the unit registered five of the team's six sacks. When facing a quarterback like Gannon (5 att., 48 yds., 1 TD), the Bears must play gap responsible defense in order to prevent him from avoiding the first wave of pass rushers and finding a running lane.

Special teams

	NFL RANK
	Category	CHI	OAK
	Punt return avg.	1	23
	Kickoff return avg.	11	27
	Opp. punt return avg.	28	21
	Opp. kickoff ret. avg.	6	9
	Time of possession	5	11

This game will feature two of the top punt return men in the game -- Oakland's Darrien Gordon and Chicago's Glyn Milburn -- but the focus will be on Bears PK Brian Gowins. Chicago activated Gowins from the practice squad late last week and the decision to waive veteran Jeff Jaeger backfired when the rookie pushed a game-tying field goal wide right.

Oakland PK Michael Husted can sympathize with Gowins because his two misses in Week 1 arguably cost the Raiders a win at Lambeau Field. If this game is tight late in the fourth quarter, don't expect either team to set the table for its struggling kicker.

One area that Chicago has a distinct advantage is at punter, where Todd Sauerbrun is off to a much better start than Leo Araguz.

Key matchups