{"id":94849,"date":"2020-09-17T16:28:37","date_gmt":"2020-09-17T20:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=94849"},"modified":"2020-09-17T16:28:37","modified_gmt":"2020-09-17T20:28:37","slug":"running-backs-tight-ends-key-to-chicago-bears-victory-in-week-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/09\/17\/running-backs-tight-ends-key-to-chicago-bears-victory-in-week-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Running Backs, Tight Ends Key to Chicago Bears Victory in Week 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Week 1 victory for the Chicago Bears<\/a> might have shown running backs and tight ends could be the key in Week 2. Chicago will host the 0-1 New York Giants at Soldier Field in what will be the third meeting of the franchises in Bears head coach Matt Nagy<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s tenure. He is 1-1 in those games which, for Bears fans at least, is a disappointment as the Bears have been the better team.<\/p>\n

Running Backs and Tight Ends Keys to Week 2 Bears Victory<\/h2>\n

Running Around<\/h3>\n

Much of the talk leading up to this game will center around Giants running back Saquon Barkley<\/a><\/strong>. He was held to a measly six yards on 15 carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 but remains one of the most talented backs in the NFL as evidenced by his six catches for 60 yards in that game. He has given the Bears some trouble too. In two meetings against Chicago, Barkley is averaging 20.5 carries for 92 yards or 4.5 yards per carry. He has surprisingly been quiet as a receiver, though.<\/p>\n

Chicago had their hands full with the Detroit Lions ground attack in Week 1; allowing 138 yards at a 4.75 yards per carry clip, including 14 totes for 93 yards to the ageless Adrian Peterson<\/a><\/strong>. The Bears typically stout run defense will have to adjust better to life without Eddie Goldman<\/a><\/strong>. They struggled to do so in Akiem Hicks<\/a><\/strong>\u2019 absence last season.<\/p>\n

Offensively, Nagy showed a renewed dedication to the running game as the Bears handed it off 28 times for 149 yards. An even better development for fans was the commitment to David Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> who handled 13 carries (for 64 yards). That was almost twice as many as Tarik Cohen<\/a><\/strong> had and nine more than the converted Cordarrelle Patterson<\/a><\/strong>. The Bears even used the trio diversely in the aerial attack with Montgomery (three), Cohen (two), and Patterson (one) all catching passes. This is the usage fans thought they were getting in 2019.<\/p>\n

\n

#Bears<\/a> \u2014 <\/p>\n

More 12\/13 personnel run schemes in Week 1. Get multiple TEs on the field. <\/p>\n

RB David Montgomery \u2014 Averaged 2.46 yards after first contact. <\/p>\n

Downhill with more speed + the body control to run through contact. @NFLMatchup<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/0nY8pJFIx6<\/a><\/p>\n

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) September 15, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n