The Chicago Bears' rushing attack has quietly become one of the more versatile units in the league, and that's exactly why the pairing of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai continues to draw attention heading into this weekend. The Bears have been one of the more recent teams to adopt the one-two punch approach to running backs, and it's doubtlessly paid off.
Swift brings the quick burst plays. He's the home run threat who can punish overpursuit, turn outside zone into chunk gains, and flip field position on a snap-to-snap basis. Monangai, on the other hand, is built for contact. He runs with a low center of gravity and runs through traffic and tackles like they're not even there. In late-season football, and especially in sub-zero temperatures, that kind of running can be the final piece to a successful puzzle.
The very topic came up recently on the "What's more likely" segment on The Rich Eisen Show, when the crew debated which running back duo would finish the weekend with more rushing yards. Rich Eisen's opinion fell firmly on Chicago's side.
“Oh man, oh man, I think, how about this? I think Monangai might lead everybody in rushing. Cause he’s the bruiser, man… and I think this is Monangai weather.”
This is Monangai Weather
Eisen is using his experience. Colder games tend to favor contact running, and the Rams are not a team accustomed to the cold. Recent reports suggest the matchup is shaping up to be resting at sub-zero temperatures with a significant chance of snow. Monangai fits the profile cleanly.
Eisen's comment should not be mistaken for a knock on Swift or a signal that Chicago's offense is one-sided. If anything, Monangai's presence makes Swift more dangerous. When defenses tighten inside to deal with a bruising downhill runner, Swift is often the one who benefits most, as it creates coverage gaps.
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Cold, physical games tend to reward runners like Monangai, but that dynamic only amplifies what Swift brings to the offense. When defenses commit inside to stop a downhill runner, Swift becomes the change-of-pace threat that can tilt the field in a single snap. If Chicago finds that balance, the backfield can control both tempo and outcome of the game.