On Friday, the Chicago Bears learned that they will be short-handed on offense when they travel to take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. With starting running back David Montgomery questionable with an ankle injury, the team’s top two tight ends in Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen have already been ruled out for the game. With limited offensive weapons, it is up for Chicago’s two youngest wide receivers to finally produce.
Both Anthony Miller and Javon Wims have been inconsistent in their second season with the Bears. As rookies last season, the two showed huge potential where many believed they would be significant contributors on offense for years to come. Miller caught six touchdown passes in 2018 as Wims flashed in the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
The 2019 season has not been the same for the two receivers as they have combined for 23 receptions and just one touchdown. Miller has had some costly drops and penalties that have hurt the team. Wims has failed to earn consistent playing time even though he has been productive in a limited role. Although the Bears have had their struggles at the quarterback position, both receivers have failed to live up to expectations.
With the offense battling several injuries, it’s likely that the Rams defense will focus their attention on wide receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson has been the Bears’ most consistent playmaker this season recording 53 receptions and three touchdowns. The Rams will double-team Chicago’s best receiver and force quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to find other options in the passing game. Chicago’s sophomore receivers will have a strong opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
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Head coach Matt Nagy will have to get creative with his formations to cover for the loss of his top two tight ends. Nagy could deploy four-wide sets to feature both Wims and Miller in the slot to utilize their size and speed. Although Trubisky has overthrown him several times, Miller has displayed the ability to get past the defender deep on several occasions. Wims has shown that he can win contested throws just like he did on his 37-yard catch against the Vikings in week four.
Both receivers will likely face single coverage throughout the night with the Rams geared towards taking away Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. This could be the big game that either Miller or Wims needs to jumpstart their season. If Trubisky is smart, he will look through his progressions to find the single coverage.
In a must-win game, Chicago needs its young wide receivers more than ever. One of the main reasons the offense has been so inept this season is because no receiver has stepped up other than Robinson or Gabriel. Miller and Wims have flashed the potential to be the top-end receivers that the Bears drafted them to be, but not this season. On Sunday night, one of the two will need to step up to help keep the team’s playoff hopes alive.
