One week ago, it looked like the Raiders could be on the path to the best of both world's path.
Winners of three straight, the Silver and Black were sitting at 6-4 and looked to be in prime position to grab a playoff spot in the AFC. Meanwhile, the Bears, whose first-round draft pick the Raiders own, were at 4-6 after benching quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in a loss to the Rams.
The Raiders had dreams securing a playoff berth and a top-10 pick in the same season, a feat rarely seen.
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But a lot can change in a week.
The Raiders went to New York in Week 12 and got rolled by the Jets, 34-3, knocking them back outside the playoff picture. The Bears rebounded from their loss to the Rams by beating the Giants to move to 5-6 and into the No. 14 slot in the draft.
Now, the Bears head to Detroit to face the Lions for the opening game of the NFL's Thanksgiving Day tripleheader. Chicago beat the Lions two weeks ago in backup quarterback Jeff Driskel's first start since the injury to Matthew Stafford. Driskel has lost three games in a row, the latest a 19-16 defeat to Washington, and also is banged up, meaning third-string QB David Blough will start.
While Raiders fans are preparing their Thanksgiving dinners and dreaming of upsetting the Chiefs on Sunday to jump into a tie for first in the AFC West, they should watch the Bears and Lions duel and become honorary Detroiters for the morning. A Bears win Thursday would make them 6-6 and almost certainly secure a spot outside the top 10 with the Bengals, Dolphins, Washington, Giants, Cardinals, Broncos, Lions, Falcons, Bucs, Jags and Jets all entering the week with four or fewer wins.
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A loss Thursday would seemingly send the Bears hurdling toward 5-11, with games against the Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs and Vikings remaining. That has a lot greater chance of landing in the backend of the top 10 than a record of 6-10 would.
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So, if Raiders fans have dreams of CeeDee Lamb, Isaiah Simmons and the like, a Bears loss to the Lions is a necessity.
A Trubisky vs. Blough showdown isn't the most appetizing matchup, but there is something at stake for the Raiders. Another L for the Bears would make the Silver and Black extra thankful for the blessings from the football gods.