Chicago Bears Week 14: What To Look For

Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Give Matt Forte the damn ball!

The Bears ran the ball just eight times against the Lions. It is understandable that the game plan did not revolve around the running game, since the Lions are killers against the run, having the best rush defense in the NFL, but they should have used the run a little more early on. As I wrote earlier, the Lions adjusted quickly to the truncated game plan, and they killed the Bears the rest of the game.

The Cowboys are no Lions when it comes to rush defense. They rank 30th against the run, so I hope Forte got some rest the night before, because he should get enough carries to make up for last week.

Cutler dropped back and threw 51 passes against the Lions. Having him do that at that rate is just a recipe for disaster, as we have seen. Forte can take some of the pressure off Cutler.

Forte spoke about the run-pass imbalance. “You can’t just sit back there and throw 50 passes a game and expect to win.”

The Bears need only to look across the field on Thursday to see how the running game helps the passing game. The Cowboys for years were pass-dominant, and Romo found a way to lose games that way. This season, they are closer to 50-50 run and pass, and they are having a lot of success. Murray is taking pressure away from Romo, and it has resulted in wins.

Let Forte do what he does. He is an all-around back, and ranks second in the NFL in all-purpose yards. Keep giving him the ball!

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