The Bears make their first regular-season appearance in Oakland since 1981 looking to even this interconference series as the Raiders -- facing facing their third straight AFC West opponent -- for the first time since 1990.

While the Raiders own a one-game lead (5-4) in the standings, Chicago managed a 19-17 victory at Soldier Field in 1996 in the most recent encounter between the clubs.

The Bears are 2-2 in four previous road tilts in this series (1-1 at Oakland, 1-1 at Los Angeles), with their last visit to the West Coast resulting in a 24-10 loss at the L.A. Coliseum to the then-L.A. Raiders.

The Bears' last appearance in Oakland resulted in a 23-6 victory in '81 in what proved to be the Raiders' final game at Oakland (prior to their return in 1995) before their move to Los Angeles in 1982.

Numbers: The Bears have committed two or more turnovers in 24 of their last 34 contests dating back to '97--committing 51 turnovers in their last 21 games dating back to '97. Including playoffs (84 games), the Bears have allowed 488 points in 35 wins (13.9 PPG), 1,366 points in 49 losses (27.9 PPG) the last 6 seasons (1994-99).

In their first two games in '98, the Raiders have totaled nine sacks and forced seven turnovers, but have allowed 381.5 total yards per game and 45 points. After committing just 14 turnovers in their first eight games (6-2) in 1998, the Raiders have committed 31 turnovers in their last 10 contests (3-7). After allowing just 175 points in their first 10 games in 1998 (7-3), the Raiders have allowed 226 points in their last 8 games (2-6).

Things To Look For: While Dick Jauron's young and scrappy club let one get away from them last week against the 'Hawks, the Raiders must be beaming with confidence following their shocking victory at the Silverdome. Oakland's defensive front looks like one of the league's dominant units in the season's early going, and Bears QB Shane Matthews will have his hands full trying to stay out of harm's way.

Etc.: The Bears are 9-9 vs. AFC competition dating back to 1995 (1-1 in '99), and 21-21 in interconference games dating back to 1989. They have lost four straight road games dating back to '98. Chicago is 34-23 in September since 1985, but they are just 10-21 in their last 31 September outings dating back to '92.

The Raiders own a 102-42-3 record (112-44-3, including playoffs) at the Oakland Coliseum, this compared to a 64-36 mark (69-38, including playoffs) at the L.A. Coliseum from 1982-94. The Raiders are 23-15 vs. NFC teams in the 1990s (1-1 in '99). WR Tim Brown (693) needs 6 catches to tie Gary Clark for 11th place on the NFL's all-time receptions list. Brown needs 7 catches to become just the 11h player in NFL history with 700 career receptions. Brown (9,737) needs 94 yards to tie Drew Hill (9,831) for 16th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list