The Chicago Bears' Run Game Roaring Back to Life
In a stunning reversal, the Bears' rushing offense has catapulted to the top of the league, boasting the highest average in yards per game since their Week 5 bye. The team's surge is nothing short of remarkable, with only one other team, the Buffalo Bills, managing to eclipse their 153.8 yard mark.
What's more impressive is that this resurgence has come at a time when few expected it would. In fact, the Bears' most recent outbursts have been the largest since the 1984 season, with 283 yards against the Bengals and 281 against the Eagles being the most significant in non-overtime games all year.
While veterans like D'Andre Swift have faced criticism for their previous struggles, this season's performance is a far cry from those woes. Swift, who was paired with new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, has seen an impressive transformation. With 4.7 yards per carry, he ranks among the top in the league, and his teammate Kyle Monangai is just as dominant, boasting a seventh-place ranking.
The secret to their success lies in discipline and soundness. According to Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Bears' players must be "really sound" and "really disciplined" when it comes to running the ball, avoiding unnecessary aggressiveness that can blow plays wide open. It's an approach that has yielded remarkable results.
Swift himself acknowledged the team's progress, stating, "I think we're hitting our stride right now." With this renewed focus on discipline and effectiveness, one thing is clear: the Bears are well on their way to becoming a formidable force in the league's rushing game.
In a stunning reversal, the Bears' rushing offense has catapulted to the top of the league, boasting the highest average in yards per game since their Week 5 bye. The team's surge is nothing short of remarkable, with only one other team, the Buffalo Bills, managing to eclipse their 153.8 yard mark.
What's more impressive is that this resurgence has come at a time when few expected it would. In fact, the Bears' most recent outbursts have been the largest since the 1984 season, with 283 yards against the Bengals and 281 against the Eagles being the most significant in non-overtime games all year.
While veterans like D'Andre Swift have faced criticism for their previous struggles, this season's performance is a far cry from those woes. Swift, who was paired with new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, has seen an impressive transformation. With 4.7 yards per carry, he ranks among the top in the league, and his teammate Kyle Monangai is just as dominant, boasting a seventh-place ranking.
The secret to their success lies in discipline and soundness. According to Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Bears' players must be "really sound" and "really disciplined" when it comes to running the ball, avoiding unnecessary aggressiveness that can blow plays wide open. It's an approach that has yielded remarkable results.
Swift himself acknowledged the team's progress, stating, "I think we're hitting our stride right now." With this renewed focus on discipline and effectiveness, one thing is clear: the Bears are well on their way to becoming a formidable force in the league's rushing game.