Keys To Victory: How Will Chicago Bears Stop Miami Dolphins?

Bilal Nichols #98 of the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Bilal Nichols #98 of the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3) Shutdown The Miami Run Game

If things start to get ugly for the Dolphins passing game, then Miami might try to shift gears and use the running game to wear down the Bears defense. Miami’s running back duo of Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake have certainly impressed at times in 2018.

Veteran Frank Gore is averaging 4.3 yards per carry, his highest rush yards per attempt since 2014, while Kenyan Drake is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry, the lowest of his career.

It’s clear that Gore will likely be the starter against the Bears which means Miami will try to come out and run a balanced offense which will keep the Bears defense guessing. And as good as the Bears defense is, the Miami offense will definitely find ways to exploit the Bears defense.

To shutdown the Dolphins run game, the Bears defense will need to close up any potential gaps that the offensive line could open up. Miami’s offense does not have a change-of-pace running back like the Bears do in Tarik Cohen, so it’s likely that we see the Dolphins run multiple zone runs between the tackles.