The Oakland Raiders were missing three of their top offensive threats against the Chicago Bears as Schilens, Heyward-Bey, and McFadden all watched from the sidelines as the Raiders dominated the Bears 32-17.
Fourth year receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins started across from Louis Murphy. They combined for four catches for 71 yards. Michael Bush may have made the catch of the game when Jason Campbell found him in a third and long situation after two Robert Gallery penalties forced the Raiders into a third and long deep in their own end to start the game. Campbell hit the running back for a 24 yard screen pass that got the initial drive rolling.
Campbell completed 10 of his 20 attempts for 170 yards no passing touchdowns and an interception. He did put the ball in the endzone on a quarterback sneak to cap the opening drive.
On his ten receptions, Campbell spread the wealth around utilizing five different receivers. On the first drive Campbell didn’t have a pass hit the ground as he led them to the early score. He hit Bush on the 24 yard screen pass to convert on a third down and get out of the shadows of their own endzone. He added two passes for 28 yards to tight end Zach Miller, an 18 yard completion to Johnnie Lee Higgins, and a 27 yard strike to Louis Murphy to set up Campbell’s goal line plunge.
Before the half was over Campbell was able to connect with Marcel Reece for a screen pass that saw the fullback rumble for 40 yards. Rock Cartwright added an insignificant reception out of the backfield late in the first half.
Even with key offensive threats missing, Campbell and the Raiders first team offense were able to move the ball up and down the field. Campbell was his own worst enemy when under pressure he put up a dying duck that was intended for Miller but instead was reeled in by Tillman for an interception. A bad snap from Chris Morris in earlier than expected after an injury to Samson Satele led to the second turnover.
After a rough game in Dallas, this was the performance that Raiders needed to see from their offense. It is even more encouraging for the Silver and Black that they were able to do it without Darren McFadden, Chaz Schilens, or Darrius Heyward-Bey.
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