Chicago Bears: Reasons why Raiders game in London could be a trap game

Could the Chicago Bears trip to London be a dreaded trap game?

The Chicago Bears are riding on a high after beating the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. They find themselves with the same record as the Green Bay Packers and tied for first place in the NFC North. Well, they are technically in second because of a tiebreaker, but this early in the year the tiebreaker means little.

In fact, the Packers are playing the 3-1 Cowboys this week and will not have their star receiver, Davante Adams. There is a good chance that the Packers will lose this game. Right now the Cowboys are favored by three points, but they are the home team, which means the oddsmakers believe the game could go any way.

If the Packers do lose and the Bears are able to win, then they will have sole possession of first place in the NFC North. That alone should be enough to make sure they stay focused on winning this game, but is it possible this game against the Raiders could be a trap game?

The definition of a trap game is essentially when a stronger opponent is facing a weaker opponent the week before facing an equal opponent. In this sense, many might claim this game cannot fit this definition because the Bears have a bye week following their game with the Raiders. However, after that week they go up against the New Orleans Saints. Another team that is 3-1 this seasons.

Other factors make this game one that could be a trap game though. First, the game is in London. Traveling to London could be a distraction for some of these players. The Raiders were just there in 2018. They lost 28-3 to the Seahawks, but being there just a year ago could remove some of the external distractions that the Bears players could be experiencing as I write this.

Everyone is all about how Khalil Mack is going to dominate because this is a revenge game for him. However, there are probably plenty of players on the Raiders who want to prove they are a good team without Mack. They will be coming to play hard and will be thriving in the underdog role as the Bears are currently favored by five points.

The final reason the Bears could find themselves losing this game is that the Raiders might be better than people think. If we look at the numbers, the Bears are currently 26th in offensive DVOA, whereas the Raiders are 23rd. We all know the Bears offense has struggled, plus they lost their starting quarterback and number two wide receiver. Although the offense still has weapons, to imagine them continuing to struggle should not surprise anyone.

If we dive into the defensive side of the football though, the Chicago Bears are ranked third in defense DVOA. They are arguably the best defense in the NFL. Yes, I think they are better than the 49ers and the Patriots who are currently ranked first and second. The Oakland Raiders are ranked 23rd and this difference alone should mean the Bears easily win this game. But could the defense have a hiccup?

Although the Bears do not seem like the type of team to overlook a game and move forward two weeks to their next opponent (bye week in between), but trap games happen to even the best of teams. This game should be winnable for the Bears. Easily winnable at that, but as they say, any team can win on any given Sunday. My prediction though, a 20-13 victory for our beloved Bears.