Chicago Bears: Three keys to beat the New Orleans Saints
By Adam Childs
The offensive line must play better
To put it bluntly, the offensive line has been bad this year. They can’t take all of the blame for the offensive struggles but it is the core issue.
They are not blocking very well and it is slowing the running game and affecting the passing game. The Bears came into the year thinking they would be able to run the ball very well with their collection of running backs but it just hasn’t materialized.
Kyle Long was just placed on the IR and his season is done, but that is just a part of the problem. They must figure out ways to block or it doesn’t matter who is on IR or who is healthy.
Against the Raiders Chase Daniel was sacked 4 times and hit another 6 times and that doesn’t even include the times he was hurried. He actually went a very respectable 22-30 and when he had time he made good plays. However, he had happy feet throughout most of the game and that is because the line just couldn’t contain the Raiders rush.
The Bears would also finish with just 42 rushing yards on the game. Not at all the kind of production Matt Nagy thought he would get out of his offense this year.
Simply put, if the line plays better it will allow Nagy to run the offense the way he wants. If it doesn’t the Chicago Bears will continue to struggle to score points.