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3 Keys to a Bears Victory Over the Colts in Week 3

The Bears travel to Indianapolis this Sunday to take on the Colts in what should be a winnable game. Here are three things the Bears must do to ensure a win.

By Joseph Grassano

Sep 15, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Sep 15, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
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1. Run! Run! Run!

Over the first two weeks of the season, the Bears have not been able to run the ball effectively. On 44 carries, the offense has gained 155 yards. That's an average of 3.5 yards a carry, which isn't good when most of that yardage is coming from quarterback scrambles.

In two games, D'Andre Swift has 48 yards on 24 carries, which means he is averaging 2 yards a carry. Swift's inefficiency on the ground isn't completely his fault, as the Bears' offensive line has failed to open up running lanes for him. Fortunately, the Bears' offensive line has a favorable matchup this week against the Colts.

Normally the offensive line would have to deal with All-Pro DeForest Buckner in the middle. Sadly for the Colts, Buckner suffered an ankle sprain against the Packers, which placed him on the injured reserve.

Losing Bucker hurts an already horrendous Colts run defense. In the first two weeks, the Colts have allowed 474 rushing yards, making them the worst run defense in the NFL. Last week, the Colts allowed 263 yards rushing, with 164 of those yards being allowed in the first quarter. By the end of the first half, the Colts had allowed 219 rushing yards.

Whether it's Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, or Velus Jones Jr., the Bears need to run the ball as much as possible against the Colts. If the offensive line is unable to open holes against the worst run-stopping team in the NFL, then the Bears have bigger issues on the offensive line than anyone imagined.

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