Breaking down the game- Football Film Study 101: Updated:The Bears offensive struggles in the run game!

The Bears have been struggling on offense.

But here's an interesting 2 game analysis

1st down

Runs: 17/24 yards running the ball on 1st down. 1.4 ypc

Passes:27/31 209yds , 2sacks. 7.74 ypc

note: (I count jet sweeps as runs)

I've detailed some of the problems as you can read below but lets look at some solutions:

1. The Bears have to pass to run!!continue to use the short passing, boots , jet sweeps, screen and Y rpo game to alleviate some of the issues they are having. They did some early last game with success but need to be committed to it on first down. They shouldn't run on 1st down at all. Nagys plays are solid, he just needs to give up on the run on early downs. FORGET ABOUT RUNNING IT!

That may sound crazy but the plays he calls have been very good. No interceptions, all high percentage.

Running these types of plays will take the onus of the struggles inside at center, guard and play to their strengths at offensive tackle and skill on the Perimeter with Robinson,Montgomery and A rob

I like this play a lot, I would split a Rob out to the numbers as the single wr then they can him on a slant or out cut. Puts mores stress on the defense.

Heres a wr screen the Colts run that could be a real good option

Lets take a look at some of the reasons and see where the issues lie.

Fans have been upset with Matt Nagy but there are 11 guys on the football field so lets start there.

Qb- Nick Foles finds ways to wins and is good enough to win with if he has the right supporting cast. Right now, he doesn't have many options that are reliable other than Robinson, and the lack of running game is making the Bears one dimensional but they don't have the talent to play that way.

WR-Allen Robinson has been the most consistent contributor on offense. He is there go to go but his contract situation makes things messy. Mooney and Miller have not stepped up to be that true #2 option.

TE-Jimmy Graham has been a disappointment but Cole Kmet is starting to come on of late. Graham has hurt them in the run game and neither one is a great blocker at the line of scrimmage.

RB- They average less than 4 yards per game . Montgomery started the year great averaging 5 yards in the first 2 games and 3.1 since. Thats not good numbers with your running back. People want Nagy to run more but if you aren't having results you can't force the issue.

Patterson- I don't know what the answer is to get him some touches. He shows flashes at times but isn't the most consistent in the passing game. He does cause some match ups but isn't a fluid route runner. Not a great rb. Hasn't exploded for too many big plays.

Offensive Line-Right now they need to make some upgrades real fast. They are struggling up front trying to fill spots due to injuries. There left guard was a converted d lineman. They are having major issues at guard.

Run Game

Lets look at the run game

1st and 10

the Bears have the ball and run wide zone toss with Montgomery. The 1st play could have been a 5 to 6 yard gain but the rb cuts it way too early which allows the safety to fold back inside.

Also, the Rams weak lb does a nice job staying in phase making the play. RB need to get to their landmarks to stretch the defense.

On 2nd and 8 they give it to Montgomery.

The bears are in 12 personnel and try to run him on duo up the middle. The Rams run the bear front and are in man free so when the safeties see the tight ends block they fill outside in. Donald holds his ground and it gets bounced to where the run support is. Donald does a good job getting the ball spilled to the run support. Graham the tight end misses his block so its a 1 yard gain.

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Series 2

1st and 10

the Bears have the ball and run wide zone toss with Montgomery. The 1st play could have been a 5 to 6 yard gain but the rb cuts it way too early which allows the safety to fold back inside. Also, the right guard is wrong and should be doubling with the center and they could get a great double team to the linebacker. Why are you blocking back.

Also, the Rams weak lb does a nice job staying in phase making the play but is unblocked because the right guard looks lost! Are we blocking back on a wide zone play away from you? No

The left guard and center do their jobs and the tackle gets a decent lateral push. Their could be a better lane but the right guard kills the play.

From there the Bears get a 2nd and 3, 3rd and 2, 1st and 10 and 2nd and 8 and get 4 carries for 10 yards.

2nd and 3 , they run wide zone,

The right tackle gets beat by the de as the rams are slanting to the left. The Left tackle gets beat inside by the 5 technique which takes away any cut back. They gain a yard.

3rd and 2

On the 3rd and 2

They go 11 personnel

The Rams are in a bear look and are plus 1 in the box.

They run inside zone without the read component so they don't slow the lb at all and they don't block the de.

With Trubisky they could have read this and froze the olb and maybe send the h back up to the lb.

RB makes a nice run with very little room to operate. The bears don't get a man touched at the 2nd level.

The rb squeaks thru for a 3 yard gain.

1st and 10
The Bears run jet sweep against the Rams Bear front, the olb penetration kills the play but should have Cordelle cut it up behind the lead block of the running back?

2 yard gain. In the college game he would probably cut it up if the lead back cuts it up.

Come on Cordell, lower your shoulder and get 3-4 more yards. You want to play rb, play rb. Stop running out of bounds.

that brings up a 2nd and 8

Rams in Bear front again,

I really dont understand the blocking on this play. Was Graham leading up was it slice?

Donalds penetration causes issues. Maybe the play was wide zone and just got destroyed by Donald and thus the back cut right away.

If its a RPO, the slot is wide open.

They manage to somehow get 3 yards.

Clips from the 4 play sequence below

Bears vs Panthers

See the 1st 2 first down runs vs the Panthers

Vs. The Panthers on first and 10. The bears get a yard running it.

2 points:

1. throw the rpo, you have leverage 3 over 2.

2. This is where you miss Trubisky in the run game for the zone read option.

3. I know its crazy but they should use him on first down. you can give him the RPO or zone read option. What do i mean.

if its 3x2 presnap you can throw the rpo. tough front to run into to the tight end side.

How the Bears block it:

How some lines may have blocked it and left the cb unblocked.

the rpo, if not you are running zone read. Simple, will open up lanes and help the run game.

The next 1st and 10

they Run wide zone and it looks as if the left tackle has an easy block. He whifs. The guard cuts the ng and the tackle should be able to get to the 2nd level.

They use some motions and they release the tight end to the flat on the bottom rather than trying to use him to help in the box and they get no reaction from it. The lb doesn't care and plays cutback.

Bears vs the Titans

first 3 carries, 3 yards

They have a 1st and 10

The right guard gets beat by the shaded nose and the nose blows up the play

The rb has to cut it back early because of the penetration and its only a 1 yard gain

then after 2 4 yard gains, Its 4th and 1

they run into a similar issue.

the right guard gets beat clean and it disrupts the play. They fake a toss and try to sneak Montgomery inside.

They set the front away from the tight end but slant the dt and nose to the tight end.

The right guard gets beat, head down, whifs on the block

No place for Montgomery to go DT is there

Ends up no gain, turnover on downs.

1st drive passing 4/4 for 40 yards

rushing 2 carries for 1 yard

2nd drive 1 carry for 2 yards, the play is below. The left guard whiffs on his block on toss which leads to the fb not blocking the SS. 2 yard gain could have been 5 or more.

They got 5 yards on first, but 2 on this play, then on 3rd and 3 they throw an incomplete and have to punt