Bears vs. Raiders NFL Week 5 Picks and Predictions

After a dismal debut performance, Justin Fields looked much more at home against one of the worst defenses in the league last Sunday as they overcame the Lions, this game against the Raiders will prove a tougher test as they look to bounce back from a Monday night defeat to the Chargers.

Can Fields continue to blossom, or will Derek right the Carr and take the Raiders to 4-1. The Raiders are 5.5 point favorites against the Spread, and a low total of 44, suggests that they think the defenses will be important in this one. Let's see the NFL odds.

Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Sunday, October 10, 2021 - 04:05 PM EDT at Allegiant Stadium

Can Justin Fields Make the Most of His New Position?

On Wednesday afternoon the Bears finally stopped messing around and named Justin Fields as the team's starter going forward. In the long run, it makes sense and it would hurt the team more to drop him after getting his first win than it will let him learn on the job.

The Bears once again kept him limited and as a neutral, you’ve got to hope they work some designed runs into the playbook for someone as athletic as Fields is. He only threw the ball 17 times but put up 209 yards on just 11 receptions, most of it being provided by Darrell Mooney who managed to get open downfield.

https://youtu.be/UXJsbTXFU7Y

With David Montgomery at running back, there wasn’t any need for them to push things with a rookie QB, but he’ll be out for 4-5 weeks now so they will have to use Fields more and he should be able to notch up his first passing TD for the team.

The Montgomery injury hurts them, he’s one of the better backs in the league despite being largely under-rated. They will probably start Damien Williams who finished the game last week and should overcome a “thigh bruise” if not him then Khalil Herbert, a 6th round rookie will get the play before Tarik Cohen finally returns from injury. Keep an eye on Williams prop. Lines at the best online bookmakers.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1445797556110434306

Will the Raiders Bounce Back?

After blowing teams away with their offensive play in the first three weeks of the season with Derek Carr averaging over 400 yards per game in the first three, they were slowed to half of that by a very good Chargers defense on Monday and will look to bounce back immediately here. Carr still leads the league in yards and with Josh Jacobs another week healthier they’ll be looking to get going once more.

It’s one healthier and one heading the other way for the running back room as Peyton Barber, who had filled in well for Jacobs, is diagnosed with turf toe. He probably wouldn’t have got much use for Jacobs back but it could hurt them going forward. Kenyan Drake is the odd-man-out for them so far.

Peyton Barber #31 of the Las Vegas Raiders. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP

They spread the ball around well in the passing game with “third-and” Renfrow the main chain mover for them, although also frequently targeted in the red zone, Henry Ruggs providing a lot of speed, and Darren Waller one of the best tight ends in the league beasting the opposition regularly. It’s a varied and capable offense which I’m happy to admit I was wrong on, they move the ball well.

The pass-rush has been a highlight for the Raiders too and should do well against a poor Bears offensive line, Maxx Crosby the highlight of the group should be able to get pressure on Fields.

Who Will Cover the Spread?

I actually quite like the over in this one. It’s a low total and the Raiders have been putting up points on most teams. Fields should get this offense scoring if he’s more settled into the offense and with a weakened run-game it seems logical that they’ll have to pass the ball more frequently.

https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1445913010954850309

If it’s a higher scoring game then I think that goes in the Raiders' favor in our NFL picks as their offensive talent is working far more smoothly than the Bears.

Total or Spread?

NFL Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.