Chicago Bears fans cheer up, 2019 season not over yet

Bears rushing attack is back

The Bears need to get back to running the football, ESPN Analyst and former head coach Rex Ryan said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” He came to this conclusion after a Week 7 loss against New Orleans where the Bears ran only seven times for 17 yards. The seven rushes were the least the Bears ever rushed in the entire history of the organization.

“Some zinc oxide or whatever you want to call this zit, might be to run the football,” Ryan said of the Bears offense. “They don’t run the football anymore. You got a struggling quarterback, hey, I’m not the smartest cat of all-time, but when we struggled we ran the football down your throat.”

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If anyone knows how to lead a team with a stellar defense and a young quarterback, it is Ryan. Ryan once made it down to the AFC Championship game in 2009 after his team started the season 4-6. When their then-rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez began struggling after their 3-0 start, they ran the football and became the number one rushing team that year.

Last week, the Bears rushing attack was back. They ran the ball 38 times and accumulated 162 yards on the ground.  Rookie running back David Montgomery had his first career 100-plus yard rushing game. If the Bears can continue to run effectively, they can reduce the workload on quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s shoulders.

The offense struggled in the first half against the Charges, however, in the second half, they did make some big plays. Running the ball has pumped some momentum into the offense. As long as they can find a balance, they may be just fine with the strength of this team on the other side of the ball.

There is also a theory that if the Bears perhaps ran at least one more time that final possession against the Chargers a shorter kick could have sent them on with a victory.

Bears Elite Defense

It’s no secret the strength of this team is their elite defense. This was the reason why people thought Bears could have been Super Bowl contenders prior to the season. At the end of the day, “defense wins championships.”

If the Bears can hold on until the final portion of the season they stand a chance. When it comes to football in December, teams with strong defenses are likely to prevail. If the Bears can play complementary football down the stretch it can pay dividends. They don’t need their offense to be elite, just average, or capitalize on scoring touchdowns when their defense returns an interception inside the red zone with 1st and goal to goal.

This was what they did against the Chargers on Sunday when Kyle Fuller picked off a pass and brought the Bears inside the five-yard line. The Bears offense only came away with a field goal after that sudden change of possession. A touchdown that drive could have flipped the outcome of that game.

Not to mention, this defense is 3-0 against Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, the reining NFC Player of the Month. Cousins publicly apologized to his receivers after their last meeting. This mental edge could be the difference when these two teams face each other week 17, a game that may have playoff implications if the Bears can bounce back.

The Bears not making any moves at the trade deadline may not be a bad thing for the confidence of the team. While this team did not go into buying mode they most certainly did not go into selling mode. Chicago’s front office may be exuding confidence in their roster. This could send a message to the players in the locker room that they already have the talent needed to make a run.