CHICAGO -- The Oakland Raiders had it in their sights: 3-1.
Then they let it slip away.
In a disheartening defeat, the Chicago Bears beat Oakland 22-20 on a 49-yard field goal with two seconds to go. It was the third straight game Oakland played that was decided in the final seconds. This time, the Raiders couldn't finish it off.
It was all there for the Raiders. They were favored to win for the first time in 27 games, and Chicago was 0-3, injured and desperate.
This was a game the Raiders should have won, one they had to win. But a bad defense and a sputtering offense caught up to them, and they now have less of a shine going into a Week 5 AFC West game at home against the Denver Broncos.
What were they thinking? The Bears had a chance to increase their lead from 16-14 before halftime, but coach John Fox didn't call a timeout after his team got a sack deep in Oakland territory. The Raiders ended up having to punt, but the Bears had no time to go on a scoring drive.
One reason to get excited: Backup running back Roy Helu is getting into the action. He had a 4-yard touchdown catch, then converted a key third down with a short catch and was the lead back down the stretch. That's what Oakland envisioned when it signed Helu from the Washington Redskins as a free agent this offseason. He started the season as a healthy scratch but is now making an impact.
One reason to panic: Oakland still can't cover the tight end. It gave up a league-high 305 receiving yards to tight ends in the first three games. Chicago's Martellus Bennett then ripped Oakland apart Sunday; he had a touchdown in which he went uncovered and made several other big plays. The Raiders must fix this problem.
Fantasy watch: After gaining 139 yards rushing last week, Raiders running back Latavius Murray had just 49 yards on 16 carries. He also fumbled in the fourth quarter and caused an interception by letting the ball bounce out of his hands.
Ouch: Safety TJ Carrie left the game in the second quarter after suffering a chest injury on a punt return. He did not return. Receiver Michael Crabtree (ankle) and Murray (shoulder) left but returned. Linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive lineman Denico Autry were both being tested for concussions late in the game.
