Chicago Bears Week 14: What To Look For

Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Throw the ball downfield a bit. 

Against the Detroit Lions last week, the Bears decided to use short throws to avoid the good Lions pass rush. It worked for a quarter, but there was nothing else in the game plan. The Lions figured that out, and that incomplete game plan blew up in the Bears’ faces.

The Cowboys’ pass rush is not as good as Detroit’s so the Bears should go downfield a bit. Their pass defense ranks 13th in yards allowed, so they are about average. The short throws should still be used to keep the Cowboys rush off balanced.

The Bears have to take advantage of the receiving corps’ size. I have written about this ad nauseam all season long, but the Bears just have not done it enough. When the short passes force the Cowboys to come in to stop it, throw the ball down the seam. Get the ball up to where Brandon Marshall, Jeffery, Marquess Wilson and Martellus Bennett can go up and grab it.

Also, use Bennett more in the red zone. Early in the season, the ball was thrown to Bennett more, and he responded. He took advantage of his size, and got into the end zone. For some reason, the Bears have gone away from him.

After having 32 receptions and 4 touchdowns in the first five games of the season, Bennett has just 33 receptions and just 1 touchdowns in the next seven games. The Bears and Cutler have to use Bennett more.

Next: Give Forte the damn ball