Chicago Bears: Five pleasant surprises at halfway point

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears intercepts the ball against Albert Wilson #15 of the Miami Dolphins in the second half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears intercepts the ball against Albert Wilson #15 of the Miami Dolphins in the second half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
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BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 04: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball in the second quarter during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 4, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – NOVEMBER 04: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball in the second quarter during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on November 4, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Tarik Cohen splash plays

Remember in Week One last year when the Chicago Bears let the cat out of the bag with Tarik Cohen exploding against the Atlanta Falcons? Then we saw a glimpse a week or two later as he carried them home to victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And then, do you remember when the team started to make up excuses like he was getting double teamed as to why they were not able to get him onto the field? Let’s just say Matt Nagy has operated differently.

However, this summer there was the debate. Is Tarik Cohen a staple of the offense or a gadget player who could not stay on the field. Even into Week Four, it looked as if Cohen was only in for a role as a secondary piece. However, since then he has made a significant impact on this team.

What is so impressive is how the team has been able to get an impact out of him in a variety of ways. Against the Bucs, the team used him deep down the field, and then in the run to salt the lead away. Against Miami and New England, he was working after the catch. He didn’t see the ball much against New York, but ripped off his only catch for 70 yards and a touchdown, and had a huge punt return against the Bills despite not stuffing the box score.

Deep, on the ground, after the catch, screens and punt returns. Tarik Cohen gives you an impact in a different way every single game. That could have been hoped for, but not expected.

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