Three keys to a Chicago Bears upset over the Raiders
By Ryan Olson
The Chicago Bears need to make Henry Ruggs a priority on defense
Henry Ruggs has significantly underperformed since Las Vegas brought him in at 12th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. In fact, he was also the first wide receiver off the board. Ruggs scares me like no other receiver with only 40 career receptions. The fact that Ruggs can burn you downfield better than anyone, and is one of the fastest players in the NFL can do that to a person.
Henry could be a bad matchup for the Bears because Jaylon Johnson has struggled with getting beat over the top. Getting beat downfield was a concern in his draft profile, and it showed when Jamarr Chase and Odell Beckham beat him downfield for what would’ve been a pair of TDs if it weren’t for two uncatchable throws.
I would hope Eddie Jackson is on his A-game back in centerfield and helps Jaylon Johnson out because of the exploitable matchup. My expectation for the game is that either Deon Bush, or Eddie Jackson bracket Ruggs downfield for close to the whole game. The defense will have to pay special attention to 2nd and short opportunities, where Jon Gruden likes to take shots downfield.