Oct 5, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers strong safety Roman Harper (41) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
We’re trying out a new feature here on Bear Goggles, a little X’s and O’s breakdown of some key plays from each game. In our Chicago Bears Week 5 Film Session we look at a couple of plays from the Bears gut wrenching 31-24 loss to the Carolina Panthers. First up, let’s look at the Bears’ first scoring play of the game:
Matt Forte 10 yard TD catch
Game situation: 1st down and Goal at the Panthers 10 yard line (1st Quarter 4:36 left)
Personnel: 12 (1 RB, 2 TEs, 2 WRs)
Defense: Cover 2
Offensive scheme: RB Screen
The Bears align in a tight formation with Marshall and Jeffrey in reduced splits and Rosario in the backfield in an offset I. In order to set up the screen, Jeffrey, Bennett, and Rosario clear out the Panther defenders. Mills and Long will release from the line to set up blocks on the linebackers.
The Panthers play Cover 2 and progress to their zone drops with the receivers as the play develops. This generates the space the Bears are looking to create in the middle of the field. And now with Mills and Long releasing to pick up the linebackers Kuechly and Davis, Forte has a lane.
After Forte progresses to the next level, he picks up two more great blocks from Marshall and Bennett on the Safeties to spring him into the end zone.
