On Sunday, the Bears got a much-needed win at home against the Dallas Cowboys. They looked like a completely different team versus Weeks 1 and 2. Where there was hesitation against the Vikings, there was decisiveness and the Cowboys. Where there were fits, starts, and hiccups against the Lions, there was deadly precision and execution against Dallas at Soldier Field.
After laying waste to Dallas 31-14, the Bears will go on the road to face the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders match the Bears with a 1-2 record. After starting the season on a high with a 20-13 road win against the New England Patriots, the Raiders have dropped two straight, but still find themselves favored against the Bears.
How is Ben Johnson Motivating His Bears Squad?
Bears head coach Ben Johnson tried to fire up his squad as he stated that they are the underdogs going into their game against the Raiders in Vegas
Ari Meirov posted, “#Bears HC Ben Johnson opened his presser today by pointing out they’re a road underdog vs. the #Raiders in Week 4.Not something you usually hear from a HC. Anything to find motivation and use as fuel.”
“We’re looking to piggyback on that performance here and go for our first road win here this week. You know, we’re road underdogs already,” Johnson said. “I think Vegas is picked to beat us, so, we gotta come out and have another great week of preparation.”
#Bears HC Ben Johnson opened his presser today by pointing out they’re a road underdog vs. the #Raiders in Week 4.
Not something you usually hear from a HC. Anything to find motivation and use as fuel. pic.twitter.com/DHf3S9RJi7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2025
The Raiders opened as -1.5 favorites against the Bears despite getting destroyed by the Washington Commanders 41-24 in Week 3. However, Johnson is likely just trying to give his team some bulletin board material to motivate them before taking a trip to Sin City.
The Bears and Raiders share some traits. They have new head coaches, and those coaches are trying to change the culture of their respective teams. Both teams are trying to get out of the competitive holes they dug themselves into.
But there are differences. The Bears have the offensive firepower to create heightened expectations. Johnson is expected to turn quarterback Caleb Williams into a superstar and, by extension, turn around the franchise’s fortunes.
Johnson praised the offense on Monday for its 19-play, 76-yard third-quarter TD drive, which extended the Bears’ lead to 31-14. The possession included 11 straight runs, took 9:54 off the clock, and resulted in a 4-yard TD pass from Williams to receiver DJ Moore.
“The guys dug deep for that,” Johnson said. “I know that our guys were feeling it, but there’s something about when we look across the ball and you see the opposition equally fatigued, that brings out that competitive spirit, and you want to finish that drive with points.”
The Raiders would love a quick turnaround, but their expectations revolve around consistency, competency, and establishing a floor they can build on. Both teams are entering their Week 4 matchup with an incomplete grade, but they look about even right now.
