Chicago Bears: Table is Set for Offense to Breakout in Week 3

We are two weeks into the 2019 NFL season, and things are looking just like it did for the Chicago Bears at this point as it did last year—well almost everything. After their first two games last season, the Bears had a record of 1-1, and the team has the same record right now. Their defense dominated from the start in 2018, and the unit is still making it hard for opposing offenses. The only thing that is different is the production (or lack thereof) of the offense.

Last season, Chicago’s offense was a work-in-progress, but they still managed to score three touchdowns in that two-game span. This year, the Bears have reached pay dirt just once in their first two contests. Obviously, this is a disappointing step back from 2018, especially since the offense should have a much better feel for Matt Nagy’s playbook.

Most are saying that the lack of playing time for the starting offense during the preseason is the reason for their stagnant production on the field. Well, this actually could be the case. Seeing how the offense was feeling their way through things and knocking off some rust during the first two games supports that assumption. Let’s just say this is the case. So, where does the offense go from here?

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Now that they have had two full regular-season games to get into the flow of things, we should consider that the offense’s “preseason” is officially over, and now is the time for things to get rolling. And the timing for this couldn’t be any better. In Week 3, the Bears will be facing a Washington Redskins team that has struggled against opposing offenses thus far.

Currently, the Redskins have surrendered an average of 455.0 total yards per game (30th in the NFL), 287.0 passing yards per game (25th), 168.0 rushing yards per game (31st), and 31.5 points per game (t-30th). In addition, Washington has allowed 5.2 yards per rushing attempt, 8.4 yards per catch, six total touchdowns, and a QB rating of 124.8 by opposing quarterbacks.

In their first game, Washington allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to put up 32 points, while quarterback Carson Wentz threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns, with Desean Jackson receiving 154 of those yards and two touchdowns. In Week 2, they played the Dallas Cowboys, and quarterback Dak Prescott accounted for a total of 338 yards (269 passing and 69 rushing) and threw three touchdowns. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott added 111 rushing yards of his own and one touchdown. As a result, Dallas had 31 points showing on the scoreboard by the end of the game.

So, as you can see, this Monday night showdown should be a much easier task for the Bears’ offense. Nagy and offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich should have a lot of good film to study leading up to the matchup against the Redskins. Patterning an offensive game plan similar to what the Eagles and Cowboys did against the Redskins could benefit a Bears offense that has struggled in the first two weeks of the season.

What makes things look even better is the fact that Washington’s defense has tallied only two sacks thus far this year. After surrendering five sacks in Week 1, Chicago’s offensive line figured things out against one of the best pass rushes in the league when they held the Denver Broncos to zero sacks in Week 2.

All in all, the excuses for the Bears’ lethargic offense has to stop this Monday night in the Nation’s Capital. It would be great to see Mitchell Trubisky throw for over 300 yards, rookie David Montgomery gain 120 yards on the ground, Allen Robinson II register 150 yards in the air, and for the offense to put up a 40-burger on national television. However, let’s not get too excited about this battle that favors Chicago on paper. It should be safe to say that if the Bears’ offense doesn’t score at least 24 points and gain a minimum of 350 total yards from scrimmage against the Redskins, then fans will have a legitimate reason to be more worried about the offense than they were prior to Week 3.

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