These Chicago Bears will get crushed by the Patriots
By Ryan Heckman
The one team you can’t get cute against is the Bears’ next opponent
On several occasions this year, I have found myself complimenting the creativity of Nagy and his offensive scheme. The usage of all of his playmakers is outstanding at times. Today’s NFL has become so much fun to watch, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, and Nagy is an example of why it has become this way.
Tight ends lined up in the back field handling shovel passes. Running backs in motion from side to side. RPO’s leading to a confused defense at times. Unexpected shots down the field. It’s all a blast.
Except when it’s not.
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Despite the excitement Nagy has brought to the Bears’ offense, he’s also made some questionable play calls. Don’t make me go back to Week 1 when he refused to hand the ball to Howard on three straight 3rd-and-1 situations.
One decision in particular confused me against Miami. When the Bears had the ball in overtime, with a 3rd-and-4, Nagy seemed content simply handing it off and attempting a 50-yard field goal for the win.
Of all times to draw up a cute pass play, Nagy didn’t do it. Maybe you could call that getting cute, but in reverse. I call it conservative, and that’s not what this Bears offense was meant to be. That’s not who Nagy is.
I don’t mind drawing up a few cute plays here and there, or running the ball in short yardage situations. That’s how you win games. You have to play to your strengths, and as far as I’m concerned, a strength in short yardage would be giving it to your work horse running back.
Against the Dolphins, the Bears ran the ball 31 times — I’m happy with that. But, eight of those carries were by Trubisky. Take those away, and you have only 23 run plays against 31 passes by Trubisky. Howard was great Sunday, rushing 14 times for 69 yards. I firmly believe if Howard had been fed more, the Bears would have pulled this one out.
Howard gets better as the game goes on. The more he gets the ball, the better he gets. Just look how he’s performed in overtime games over his young career. He’s usually out for blood in the extra time period. Cute plays are fine, but knowing when to run and when to pass is also going to be key against a Belichick-coached team.
It all starts up front with the run game. Pound it with Howard consistently, and watch that not only open up the plays down field, but also wear out the front seven. Nagy has to do a better job calling plays in this one.