Football is a weird, beautiful game. If you looked at the box score of the Chicago Bears vs Las Vegas Raiders matchup back on September 28, 2025, you’d think your eyes were lying to you.
The Raiders outgained the Bears on the ground by a staggering 171 yards. Their rookie phenom, Ashton Jeanty, basically lived in the second level of the Chicago defense, racking up 138 rushing yards and showing everyone why he was the most electric back in the draft. Usually, when a team runs for 240 yards and the other team can’t even hit 70, it’s a blowout.
But it wasn't.
Chicago walked out of Allegiant Stadium with a 25-24 win, and honestly, it was one of the gutsiest, "how did they do that?" performances of the Ben Johnson era.
The Chaos at Allegiant Stadium
The game felt like a fever dream from the jump. The Bears defense, led by a ball-hawking Kevin Byard III, didn't care that they were getting pushed around in the trenches. They decided if they couldn't stop the run, they’d just take the ball away instead.
Byard was everywhere. He snagged two interceptions off Geno Smith, and Tyrique Stevenson added another. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Raiders had coughed it up four times.
It’s kinda funny how momentum works in the NFL. You can dominate every statistical category, but if you turn the ball over four times, you’re playing with fire. Las Vegas was basically handing out gifts in the desert.
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Caleb Williams and the Art of the Comeback
Caleb Williams didn't have his "Heisman highlight" kind of day. He was 22-of-37 for 212 yards. Solid, sure, but not spectacular. He was chased around by Maxx Crosby all afternoon—Crosby is a literal nightmare who finished the game with an interception of his own and a forced fumble.
However, when the game was on the line with 1:34 left, Caleb looked like a ten-year vet. He engineered an 11-play drive that felt clinical. He wasn't hunting for the deep ball; he was taking the 6-yard slants to Rome Odunze and the check-downs to D’Andre Swift.
Swift eventually punched it in from the 2-yard line to take the lead.
But even then, the drama wasn't over.
- Raiders' Dylan Laube returns the kickoff 38 yards.
- Geno Smith hits a couple of quick passes to get into field goal range.
- Daniel Carlson, one of the best in the business, steps up for a 54-yarder to win it.
Then, Josh Blackwell happened.
The backup corner and special teams ace got a perfect jump on the snap. He didn't just tip the ball; he smothered it. The sound of that block was probably the loudest thing in the stadium for the thousands of Bears fans who traveled to Vegas.
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A Tale of Two Directions
That September game was a microcosm of where these two franchises were headed in 2025.
The Bears finished the season 11-6, winning the NFC North and even knocking off the Packers in the Wild Card round. They found a way to win ugly, which is the hallmark of a team that’s actually "arrived." With guys like Colston Loveland emerging as a top-tier tight end and Joe Thuney anchoring that line, the identity in Chicago has shifted from "perpetual rebuild" to "legitimate threat."
On the other side, the Raiders... well, it was rough.
They finished 3-14. Pete Carroll’s one-year stint ended with a pink slip on a Monday morning in January. It’s sort of tragic because the talent is there. You have Maxx Crosby playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level and Ashton Jeanty breaking franchise rookie records with 1,321 scrimmage yards.
But the offensive line was a sieve, allowing 64 sacks. You can't win in this league if your quarterback is constantly checking the turf for his own teeth.
Head-to-Head History: The Long View
If you’re a history buff, the Chicago Bears vs Las Vegas Raiders rivalry is actually closer than you might think. Before the 2025 win, the Raiders actually held a slight edge in the all-time series.
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- First Meeting: 1972 (Raiders won 28-21)
- The 85 Era: Even when the Bears were the "Monsters of the Midway," they went 3-3 against the Raiders in that decade.
- The Allegiant Era: Since the Raiders moved to Vegas, Chicago has had their number, winning in 2021 and 2025.
It’s a culture clash. You’ve got the midwestern, blue-collar "Bear Weather" vibes versus the "Just Win, Baby" silver-and-black rebellion. Even in a 2026 NFL landscape where everything is high-tech and dome-focused, that grit still matters.
What’s Next for the Rivalry?
Looking ahead to the 2026 season and beyond, these two teams are on different trajectories but might meet sooner than the official schedule suggests if the preseason gods allow it.
The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. They have over $100 million in cap space. They’re basically a blank canvas with a very expensive, very fast engine in Ashton Jeanty. If they hit on a quarterback and fix that offensive line, they’ll be a problem.
For Chicago, the window is wide open. Caleb Williams is the guy. The defense generates turnovers at a rate that hasn't been seen in Chicago since the Lovie Smith days.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking this matchup for your 2026 dynasty league or just looking to bet the spread next time they meet, keep these things in mind:
- The Special Teams Factor: The 2025 game was decided by a blocked kick. Chicago prioritizes "hidden yardage" under Ben Johnson, which makes them a dangerous underdog.
- Jeanty is a Star: If you're playing the Raiders, you have to stack the box. He is the focal point of that offense, regardless of who is under center.
- The Crosby Watch: Maxx Crosby has 90 tackles for loss since 2022. He is the one player on the Raiders' roster who can single-handedly ruin a Chicago offensive game plan.
The Chicago Bears vs Las Vegas Raiders series may not be a divisional rivalry, but every time they meet lately, it ends in a one-score heart-stopper. Whether it’s in the Windy City or under the lights in Vegas, keep your eyes on the turnover margin. That’s where this battle is won.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the Raiders' 2026 Draft—if they take a mobile QB to pair with Jeanty, the dynamic of this matchup changes completely. For Bears fans, watch the development of the young secondary; they are the reason Chicago is currently sitting atop the North.