Chicago Bears Gameday: 3 Keys to Victory over the Las Vegas Raiders

The Chicago Bears need to block Maxx Crosby

For Bagent and the offense in general to have any success at all, it will be important for the offensive line to protect the quarterback and create lanes in the ground game. This task is never easy in the NFL, especially when the opposing defensive front boasts a Defensive Player of the Year caliber edge rusher like Maxx Crosby.

Through six games, the two-time Pro Bowler has accumulated five and a half sacks, eight quarterback hits, and eight tackles for loss, all of which rank in the top 10 across the league. Counting stats, advanced stats, and the naked eye all point to Crosby being an elite NFL player, and it will be essential to account for him on every down.

The Bears offensive line is already fairly banged up, with both Braxton Jones and Nate Davis set to miss the game. At his natural position, Crosby would be set to mainly go against rookie Darnell Wright, who has shown flashes throughout the early parts of his first season. Nonetheless, helping the rookie against one of the league's best will be paramount, and there should be several chips on the Raiders' edge rusher.

The conditions of the game suggest that the Bears might find success in 12 or 13 personnel, which essentially comes out to playing multiple tight ends at once. Starter Cole Kmet has some prowess as a blocker, but the team might look to veteran Marcedes Lewis, who is one of the most proven run blockers at the position across the league. Having a vet like Lewis help Wright take care of Crosby may be the difference for the offense, but in both the rushing and passing attacks, it will be essential to double-team and truly gameplan for Crosby.