Vikings vs. Bears: Jay Cutler and Mike Martz Run In Order to Throw
Published by Andrew Rosten on November 14, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler is no Michael Vick.
However, defenses will have to respect his ability to scramble outside the pocket.
As a consequence, Cutler’s running abilities have helped open up some passing options for Mike Martz’s passing offense.
In the Chicago Bears’ 27-13 victory against the Vikings, Cutler was credited for five runs for 24 yards. That doesn’t include the numerous occasions in which Cutler was able to buy time in the pocket by maneuvering away from Minnesota defenders.
In the Bears’ previous-week victory over the Buffalo Bills, Cutler ran for a combined 41 yards on three scrambles of 18, 14 and nine yards. The Vikings must have seen some game film and, after some personal experience of Cutler’s quick feet, realized that they need to contain Cutler in the pocket, even at the expense of leaving a receiver open downfield.
Further keeping the Vikes’ defense off-balance was offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who has added a running game to his offensive philosophy. Running backs Matt Forte and Chester Taylor combined for 32 rushing attempts, against 35 passing attempts by Cutler.
Forte and Taylor ran for a combined 102 yards. But the real effectiveness of Martz mixing in some runs in his game plan lies in the passing options that were handed to Cutler as a result.
Cutler finished the Vikings game completing 22-35 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns. The last of these touchdowns came as a direct result of Martz keeping the Minnesota Vikings defense honest.
On third-and-one, Martz called for a play-action pass. The Vikings’ defense completely focused on stopping a running play, so Cutler found a wide open Kellen Davis.
Going forward in this NFL season, look for one of two things to happen as opponents try to shut down the Bears’ offense: Cutler will be able to move around the pocket or scramble out of it for big yardage in Martz’s offense, or Cutler will find more open receivers as a result of defenders trying to contain his scrambling.
Either way, if the Bears’ offense makes the right decisions—like they did against the Vikings—they’ll push Chicago past the Green Bay Packers and win the NFC North.
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