Raiders, Josh Jacobs 1, Bears, Khalil Mack 0
Josh Jacobs came to the Oakland Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade. Basically. It was with the No. 24 overall pick, acquired as part of the package the Raiders acquired from the Chicago Bears on Sept. 1, 2018, that the Raiders used to select the Alabama running back in April. And it was Jacobs who scored the go-ahead touchdown on a Marcus Allen-like leap over the pile in the fourth quarter as the Raiders pulled out the 24-21 victory in London.
Jacobs rushed for two scores and a career-best 123 yards on 26 carries. Mack had a fumble recovery, but did not record a sack.
Oakland now has two straight wins, a 3-2 record and loads of momentum.
Describe the game in two words: Deep breaths. It was almost a meltdown of epic proportions as the Raiders led 17-0 at halftime, their largest lead of the season, but were stunned as the Bears ran off 21 unanswered points.
QB breakdown: Derek Carr was his usual efficient self, except for when he wasn’t (during the Bears’ 21-0 run). Thankfully for the Raiders, he was cool and calm on the Raiders’ game-winning 97-yard drive. Carr finished with a 96.5 passer rating after completing 25 of 32 passes for 229 yards.
Pivotal play: This one is easy. The botched no-look pitch from Derek Carr to Josh Jacobs early in the third quarter, with the Raiders looking to add to their 17-0 lead in a game they were dominating on both sides of the ball. The play jump-started the Bears, who would score 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. And of course it would be Mack to recover the ball for Chicago. Had the Raiders not won, this play would be much-criticized.
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Promising trend: The Raiders’ pass rush was on point in the first half. After halftime? Not so much. Maxx Crosby, Benson Mayowa and Maurice Hurst all sacked Chase Daniel before the half, and Daniel also threw an interception. But even with a three-score lead, and the Bears needing to pass to get back in the game, Oakland could not get home in the second half as the pass rush disappeared. Then Hurst ended the game with a sack of Daniel. Promising trend, indeed.