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Whether it's Jay Cutler or Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, it's safe to say there will be more opportunities through the air than there was last week at Seattle, both by chance and design. No defense is giving up more yardage per game than Oakland's (415 a game), and only two clubs allow more passing yards. But those opportunities must be loosened up by the offensive line being able to win its battles against a Raiders run defense allowing less than 92 yards per contest through three weeks (including a 3.9 average and just one run of at least 20 yards). Dictating the ground game and setting up a huge day for Matt Forte will also ease the edge rush pressure of Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith on tackles Kyle Long and Charles Leno Jr.
[MORE: After frustrating 0-3 start, Bears searching for turnaround]
The 2013 rematch
Kyle Fuller's draft stock soared in the college football opener two years ago when Virgina Tech lost to Alabama. But it wasn't because of Amari Cooper. While the Tide beat the Hokies rather convincingly, Fuller was largely matched vs. Cooper, and held him to four catches for 38 yards. Let's not get carried away hoping for a repeat, but as Derek Carr's primary target, his numbers the first three weeks are: 5-47, 7-109 (TD) and 8-134. Fuller hopefully began a climb last week back towards what a 14th overall pick should deliver. Can he keep Cooper somewhere between his numbers from Week 1 and Week 2?
[RELATED: Cutler, Jeffery questionable against Raiders]
Cover a kickoff!
NFL
The Bears will have to kick off at least once. They'd prefer to kickoff multiple times (after scoring). Or would they? Through the first three games, opponents are returning Robbie Gould's boots almost half the field (46.9 yards). The average starting field position for opponents is their own 40, 15 yards worse than the league's second-worst unit (the Giants). Two special teams veterans were signed this week off waivers (Chris Prosinsky and LaRoy Reynolds) when three players departed. Let's see if they can help. But it takes a village.
**Get ready for Sunday's noon kickoff at 11 a.m. on Comcast SportsNet with "Bears Pregame Live," as former Bears Jim Miller, Lance Briggs and Dan Jiggetts preview the matchup with Chris. As soon as the second quarter ends, log on here at CSNChicago.com for "Bears Halftime Live," as Jim and Chris break down the first 30 minutes, and go over second half adjustments. Then as soon as the game goes final on CBS, flip back to CSN for 90 minutes of analysis, reaction, live press conferences and locker room interviews with Lance, Dan, Jim and Chris on "Bears Postgame Live."**