{"id":30411,"date":"2017-09-20T12:29:20","date_gmt":"2017-09-20T16:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=30411"},"modified":"2017-09-20T12:29:20","modified_gmt":"2017-09-20T16:29:20","slug":"week-three-chicago-bears-keys-to-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/09\/20\/week-three-chicago-bears-keys-to-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Week Three Chicago Bears Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

After an impressive Week one showing against the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons<\/a>, optimistic Chicago Bears<\/a> fans were excited about the team’s prospects<\/a> in 2017. However, those same fans are undoubtedly smarting after an ugly 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> in Week two where\u00a0next to\u00a0nothing went right for Chicago.<\/p>\n

The Bears now find themselves at 0-2 and things aren’t about to get any easier\u00a0as a date with the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> is next on the docket. Can the only winless team in the NFC North find a way to overcome such an incredible obstacle? Here are our Chicago Bears keys to victory for Week three.<\/p>\n

Week Three Chicago Bears Keys to Victory<\/h2>\n

Play Well Defense on Defense<\/h3>\n

Ben Roethlisberger<\/a><\/strong>, Le’Veon Bell<\/a><\/strong>, Antonio Brown<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Martavis Bryant<\/a><\/strong>. The Steelers are loaded on offense, and the Bears\u00a0defensive unit will have to be at its best if this game is going to be competitive. But which Bears team will show up?<\/p>\n

In Week one, the Bears defense performed admirably against the Falcons elite offense,\u00a0but in Week two, they let the Bucs jump out to an early lead, and the game was effectively over before it even began. The Steelers offense is arguably the most talented in the NFL in spite of a few missteps over the first two games, and if the Bears stumble out of the gate, last week’s blowout could look like a walk in the park by comparison.<\/p>\n

It’s not going to be easy. The Bears will continue to miss linebacker Jerrell Freeman<\/a><\/strong> in a big way, after a Week one torn pectoral muscle\u00a0ended his season. Freeman is arguably the team’s best defender, and his absence was clearly felt in Week two. Someone is going to have to step up because the Bears offense can’t keep\u00a0pace with that of the Steelers unless they have a lot of help. Fair or unfair, the defense is going to have to provide a serious boost.<\/p>\n

Feed\u00a0Jordan Howard Early and Often (If Healthy)<\/h3>\n

The Steelers defense has only surrendered 148 rushing yards, which is the sixth-best tally among all teams that have played two games. Meanwhile, the Bears running game, led by Jordan Howard<\/a><\/strong>, has only accumulated 145 rushing yards over the first two contests. At face value, the idea that the Bears should feed Howard seems foolish.<\/p>\n

Yes,\u00a0Howard is\u00a0struggling, having only rushed for 59 yards and a measly 2.7 yards per carry average over the first two weeks.\u00a0Yes, that nine-carry, seven-yard showing against the Bucs was ugly,\u00a0but in order for the Bears to keep this game competitive, he needs to be featured.<\/p>\n

During the last nine weeks of 2016, by far the most productive stretch of Howard’s young career, he averaged 19.9 carries per game. Through the first two weeks of 2017, he’s only averaging 11 carries per contest.\u00a0Howard is a Pro Bowl running back. That number needs to change.<\/p>\n

There is no question that electric rookie Tarik Cohen<\/a><\/strong> needs to receive his touches, both as a runner and as a receiver, but Howard needs to lead the backfield in carries by a wide margin.\u00a0 Of course, this all depends on his health. Howard was questionable with a shoulder injury going into Week two, and was reportedly spotted in a sling after the game.<\/p>\n

\n

#Bears<\/a> RB Jordan Howard left Raymond James Stadium with his right arm in a sling. Was on injury report with shoulder last week.<\/p>\n

— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 17, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n