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With Raiders on horizon, Bears need to make move

Nov 11, 2007 - 11:52 AM Chicago (3-5) at Oakland (2-6) Sunday 4:15 pm EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bears opened the season with a goal of getting back to the Super Bowl. Now they're just trying to escape the NFC North basement.

One of the bigger disappointments in the league this season, the Bears look to get back on track when they visit the struggling Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Chicago has had problems on both sides of the ball, with only the special teams playing up to par. And that's mostly due to returner extraordinaire Devin Hester, who already has brought back two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.

The Bears already have allowed three teams to score 34 points this season; no team reached that mark against them in 2006, when they won the NFC championship.

There have also been issues at the two key positions on offense: quarterback and running back.

Coach Lovie Smith finally pulled the plug on starter Rex Grossman after three games, but his replacement, Brian Griese, has been erratic.

Griese had his worst game before the November 4 bye week, throwing four interceptions in a 16-7 home loss to the Detroit Lions.

The running game also has struggled amid calls for Smith to bench starter Cedric Benson.

The No. 4 overall pick in 2005, Benson rushed for 101 yards in Week Two and has not surpassed 67 yards since. His 3.1 yards-per-carry average is the lowest in the NFC.

Chicago hopes to get well against the reeling Raiders, who have lost four consecutive games and scored 50 points in the process.

Quarterback Josh McCown returned after missing four games to injury and was mediocre in last weekend's 24-17 home loss to the Houston Texans.

McCown finished 13-of-28 for 158 yards with one TD and three interceptions as Oakland fell behind, 17-0, in the first half.

Justin Fargas provided a spark to the running game, rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Coach Lane Kiffin said Fargas will start against the Bears, supplanting an ineffective LaMont Jordan, who has gained just 97 yards on 45 carries over the past four games.