Unbelievable!

R checked all of the ticket apps first thing this morning and found seats at our price point, so we decided to go ahead and nab them. After reserving a spot in the Mandalay Bay parking garage using SpotHero, we were all set for the Bears-Raiders game this afternoon at Allegiant Stadium! Yay!

Before leaving for the game, we stopped to play one of the slot machines that was good to R during his March Madness trip earlier this year. Sure enough - I put $20 in and hit a small jackpot on my very first spin! 

Fiesta Loca!

Since one of the restaurants on R's radar was on the way to the stadium, we headed to Guieb Cafe on Desert Inn Road for a late breakfast. Amazing!

Prime Rib Loco Moco and Longsilog (longanisa, garlic rice, and eggs)

Hacienda Avenue is closed to vehicles on event days, so after parking the car, it was only about a half-mile walk from the garage to Allegiant. Lots of Bears fans here at the game, so we were in good company!

Bears' opening drive

The Bears hired Ben Johnson as head coach in January, so we were excited to see what he would do with the team and quarterback Caleb Williams in his second season. Coming into this game, the Bears had lost their first two (Vikings, Lions) and beaten the Cowboys the week before. 

The first half was a little lackluster from an offensive standpoint. The Bears defense caused three turnovers (2 interceptions and 1 fumble), but they were only able to convert two of those into field goals. Raiders, 14-9 at the half.

Cue Earth, Wind, and Fire performing "September" for the halftime show...

Geno Smith threw an interception on the first play to open the second half, which resulted in a touchdown pass from Williams to Rome Odunze. The Raiders answered with an Ashton Jeanty touchdown on their next drive. Raiders, 21-16 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

In the 4th quarter, Cairo Santos kicked a 51-yard field goal to bring the Bears within 2 points, but the Raiders matched it with a field goal of their own with 6:45 left in the game. 24-19, Raiders. 

On the next drive, Williams took the Bears 69 yards downfield, which ended in a 2-yard run by D'Andre Swift to score! The two-point conversion attempt failed. Bears, 25-24 with 1:34 left.

The Raiders brought the ball all the way down to the Chicago 35 with 0:38 left, but couldn't get the first down. Their 54-yard field goal attempt was BLOCKED by Josh Blackwell, and then the Bears ran out the clock for the win! Final score - 25-24, Bears!

What a game!