Bears at Raiders
THE STORY: All eyes will be on untested Caleb Hanie when the surging Chicago Bears visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. With quarterback Jay Cutler sidelined – possibly for the season – by a broken thumb, Hanie will make his first career start for Chicago, which has vaulted into postseason contention on the heels of a five-game winning streak. The Raiders, who have won back-to-back road games to move to the top of the AFC West, can relate to Chicago’s dilemma. They lost QB Jason Campbell for the season in Week 6, but were able to swing a deal with Cincinnati for Carson Palmer – even if the price tag was a small fortune.
TV: FOX, 4:05 p.m. ET. LINE: Raiders -3.5, O/U 42.5
ABOUT THE BEARS (7-3): Chicago has put up at least 30 points in three straight games and is averaging 32.2 during its winning streak. Cutler’s numbers haven’t been eye-popping, but he has been efficient and tossed seven TDs and only three interceptions during the streak. In comes Hanie, who has thrown only 14 career regular-season passes, but acquitted himself fairly well in the NFC title game against Green Bay last season, throwing two TDs and two picks. RBs Matt Forte, who leads the league with 1,391 yards from scrimmage, and Marion Barber should see an increase in their workload in an attempt to ease the pressure on Hanie.
ABOUT THE RAIDERS (6-4): After throwing six interceptions in his first two games, Palmer has been outstanding in wins at San Diego and Minnesota. RB Michael Bush has churned out back-to-back 100-yard games and is averaging 115.3 yards rushing since Darren McFadden went down with a foot sprain. Bush has carried the ball 30 times in each of the last two games, allowing the Raiders to control the clock. That could be key with their WR corps racked by injuries.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Chicago hasn’t won six straight games since opening the 2006 Super Bowl season with seven wins in a row.
2. The Raiders have piled up 11 sacks in the last two games and are tied with Houston for second in the AFC with 28.
3. Unable to land Kyle Orton on waivers, the Bears signed journeyman QB Josh McCown on Wednesday.