Big Plays Spark Chicago Bears Offense in Week 10 Win over St. Louis Rams
Published by Matt Eurich on November 15, 2015
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears were without starting running back Matt Forte for the second game in a row in Week 10, but a couple of big touchdown plays sparked Chicago’s offense early in the team’s 37-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday afternoon.
To open the game, the Bears won the coin toss and opted to receive the ball to start the second half.
The Rams gained 80 yards on seven plays and capped off their impressive opening drive with a six-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Todd Gurley.
It looked like it was going to be a long day for Chicago following St. Louis’ opening drive, but the team responded in a big way with two impressive scoring plays in the first half.
Zach Miller Proved Martellus Bennett Is Not the Only Pass-Catching Tight End on the Roster
Chicago began its first possession on offense at its 14-yard line, and the team lost one yard on rookie running back Jeremy Langford‘s first carry of the game. The next play of the game helped set the tone on offense for the Bears for the rest of the afternoon.
On 2nd-and-11, quarterback Jay Cutler connected with Zach Miller to his left out of the flat, and the veteran tight end rumbled his way into the end zone for an 87-yard touchdown.
The NFL shared a replay on Twitter:
Miller caught the ball and paused for a moment before working his way up the field. Miller’s slight delay caught Rams linebacker Akeem Ayers off guard, and Miller was able to avoid his tackle. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery helped seal off a hole for Miller, and the former Nebraska-Omaha standout was able to find his way into the end zone.
As impressive as it was for Miller to fight through traffic to find open space, his speed is what made the play successful. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson appeared to have Miller within his reach around the 50-yard line, but the veteran tight end cut back to the outside and was able to avoid him.
According to the team’s official Twitter account, Miller’s catch was the longest touchdown reception by a Bear since 2010:
Miller caught two passes—including an impressive one-handed touchdown—against the San Diego Chargers for 23 yards on Monday Night Football in Week 9, and he proved on Sunday against St. Louis that he can be a threat in the passing game.
In total, Miller finished the game with five catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
Miller has been used primarily as a blocker this season, but the Bears have tried to get him more involved in the passing game in recent weeks. Martellus Bennett is still the team’s No. 1 tight end, but Miller should see an increase in passing targets given the way he has played in the last two weeks.
The veteran tight end’s big catch-and-run in the first quarter helped set the tone for Chicago’s offense in the early going, and a rookie running back helped give the team the lead on his own long catch-and-run in the second quarter.
Jeremy Langford‘s Long Touchdown Catch Blew the Game Open
Following Miller’s long touchdown on the Bears’ first offensive drive of the day, the offense was forced to punt on its second possession and had to settle for a 35-yard field goal by kicker Robbie Gould on its third possession.
With the game tied 10-10, the Bears took over on offense for the fourth time in the game early in the second quarter. Chicago moved the ball 65 yards on 12 plays, and the team took a 17-10 lead following a two-yard touchdown pass from Cutler to Miller and the ensuing extra point.
Chicago’s defense forced a three-and-out on St. Louis’ next possession before Langford broke the game wide open.
Following a three-yard gain on the ground on the first play of the series, Langford hauled in a pass from Cutler and took the ball 83 yards to the end zone for a touchdown.
The NFL shared a replay on Twitter:
Langford received a key block from center Matt Slauson in the second level, and wide receiver Marquess Wilson did enough on the outside to open up a lane for Langford down the field.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller was impressed by Langford‘s speed on the catch-and-run:
Langford‘s long touchdown and the extra point that followed helped the Bears get out to a 14-point lead, and the rookie running back finished the game with 109 receiving yards and one touchdown on seven receptions. He also carried the ball 20 times for 73 yards and one rushing touchdown.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Langford joined elite company on Sunday because of his performance both in the running and passing game:
The former Michigan State standout has played very well in Forte’s absence in the last two weeks, and there is a chance he could take snaps away from the veteran running back once he returns from his MCL injury.
Langford has proven he can be a force between the tackles, outside the tackles and in the passing game, and Chicago’s offense has been hitting on all cylinders with him in the lineup.
Miller and Langford‘s big plays on Sunday not only looked good on the stat sheet, but they also proved that Chicago’s offense has the ability to make big plays.
The Bears will face the difficult task of slowing down Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos next Sunday at Soldier Field, but if they can get big plays on offense in Week 11, they will have a chance to improve their record to 5-5.
Statistical information courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.
Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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