Come To Think Of It: Bears Need to Hit the Ground Running Versus Seahawks
Published by Bob Warja on September 23, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Lost in the euphoria of the Chicago’s impressive victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers is this stark fact: the Bears averaged just 2.4 yards per carry in 18 rushing attempts.
Sure, QB Jay Cutler looked a whole lot better, completing 27/38 for 236 yards, two TDs and, most importantly NO INTERCEPTIONS.
Still, for a team that claims to be a hard-nosed, running football team, the rushing attack so far this season has been unimpressive to say the least.
Matt Forte, who had an outstanding rookie season last year, rushed the ball 13 times for a total of 29 yards last Sunday. In the week one loss to the Packers, Forte wasn’t any better, carrying the ball 25 times for a net gain of only 55 yards.
For the season, Forte is averaging just 2.2 yards per carry.
He has also caught just five balls this season, after leading the team in receptions last year. In short, we need to get the ball in his hands more often and the line has to do a better job of run blocking for the Bears to be successful.
Yes, we have a real QB now, but you still have to run to be successful in the NFL. Plus, the Bears receiving corps is not the best, so depending solely on the passing game is risky business.
The Bears have three new additions to the line this year in Frank Omiyale, Orlando Pace and Chris Williams. Omiyale, in particular, has played poorly, and Pace has been unimpressive so far.
Fortunately for Chicago, their next opponent is a team that you can run effectively against. In week one, despite a 28-0 thrashing of the Rams, St. Louis did manage to average 4.3 yards per carry.
Last week, Frank Gore and the 49ers ran at will against the Seahawks, totaling 256 yards rushing for an 8.8 average and two TDs.
Another lucky “break” for the Bears is the fractured rib that Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck suffered against San Francisco last week. While he hopes to play, Seattle coach Jim Mora is preparing to play without him.
According to the Associated Press, when asked if he had to plan to face the Bears without Hasselbeck, Mora said, “Right now, we’ll probably do that—unless we get word otherwise.”
Mora did say Hasselbeck “seems to be doing a lot better today.”
Meanwhile, the real story may be the woeful Bears running attack versus the woeful Seahawks run defense on Sunday. Something has to give.
Here’s hoping it’s Seattle that gives to the Bears, come to think of it.
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