Bears' run game could exploit Packers' big weakness on defense in Week 5

The Chicago Bears will enter their Week 5 matchup against the Green Bay Packers shorthanded on offense. 

Although quarterback Caleb Williams is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, all signs indicate Tyson Bagent will be the primary quarterback against the Packers. Chicago is also down their starting left tackle, Braxton Jones. 

Head coach Ben Johnson shared the news on Friday that running back Kyle Monangai will not play against the Packers. His toe “is a bigger deal” than what the team initially anticipated. The second-year running back is already seeing a specialist and is currently in a boot. 

Losing Monangai, even if it’s short-term, does hurt this Bears offense. He ran the ball 30 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 4 win over the New York Jets. After last week’s game, Monangai is seventh in the NFL in rushing yards (324). 

Right behind him was D’Andre Swift with 311 rushing yards. Swift has had an interesting season through the first four weeks. He’s been a key contributor to the run game, but he’s also fumbled twice – something Swift hasn’t done much in his career. Before this season, Swift lost four fumbles in the last six years. 

Swift told the media this week that he is looking to leave those turnovers in the past and is looking forward to his next opportunity, which happens to be against the Packers at Lambeau Field. 

D'Andre Swift will be key for Bears to take advantage of Packers' biggest weakness

This is shaping up to be a huge day for Swift against the Bears’ NFC North rival. According to Warren Sharp, the Bears have run outside zone on 60% of their running back carries (No. 1 in the league). The Packers’ defense has allowed 6.2 yards per carry against outside zone this season, 31st in the NFL. 

In the Packers’ 35-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field in Week 3, Green Bay allowed Atlanta (No. 2 in outside zone rate) to run for 244 yards. That was with Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who is now done for the season with a torn Achilles. 

With Swift expected to have a big day on Sunday, only two players are projected to have more rushing and receiving yards than Swift (110.5) this week: Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs (132.5) and Bijan Robinson (119.5)

Swift will receive a majority of the carries with Monangai out. Roschon Johnson will play a bigger role, but Swift has the playmaking ability to make Green Bay’s defense pay for any mental mistakes or hesitation that occur on any given snap. 

Read more: Bears' special teams still waiting for return on investment through 4 games

After Swift fumbled against the Jets in the third quarter, he didn’t play another snap for the rest of the game. The veteran Bears running back has a prime opportunity to redeem himself this Sunday and lead Chicago to a victory over Green Bay.

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