On Sunday, The Bears lost to the Dallas Cowboys by a surprising final of 49-29, as Chicago’s offense scored 29 points against the NFL’s best defensive unit. The offensive output by the Bears is noticeable as it marks the second consecutive productive game against a proven defense. Despite Chicago’s offense lacking talent at multiple positions, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy continues to put his unit in a spot to make plays consistently.
Chicago’s Offensive Scheme Continues To Generate Significant Production
Heading into the game against Dallas, there was a concern for the safety of second-year quarterback Justin Fields as the Bears’ offensive line has allowed the most sacks while the Cowboys’ defense has generated the most sacks in the league this season. Against Dallas, Fields was sacked four times, with half of those sacks coming late in the fourth quarter as Chicago trailed by 20 points. Through the first three-quarters of the game, Getsy succeeded in keeping his quarterback safe as Chicago’s offense moved the pocket consistently to avoid pass pressure from Dallas.
In the last two weeks, in road games at New England & Dallas…
Justin Fields went a combined 30/44 330yds 3TDs INT while rushing for 142yds & 2TDs.
The #Bears offense scored 33pt & 29pts.
Sucks to lose by 20. But it’s great to see the QB & offense grow.
This is a rebuild.— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) October 30, 2022
Chicago’s offense generated over 391 total yards as they rushed for over 200 yards for the third straight game. Fields has had back-to-back games in which he has ran and thrown a touchdown. Getsy is setting the tone by utilizing the Bears’ number-one rushing offense to help set up passing plays. Against the Cowboys, Fields completed multiple passes for 15 yards or more in which the passing plays came off a play-action fake, including the 17-yard touchdown pass to N’Keal Harry.
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N’Keal Harry lined up in the slot and proved to be a mismatch in coverage. Good design and execution for his first touchdown with the Bears. pic.twitter.com/KevQfsIuMc
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) October 30, 2022
The Bears’ offensive success against the Patriots and Cowboys has been impressive, given the struggles and injuries on the offensive line. Against Dallas, Chicago was without starting center Lucas Patrick and tackle Larry Borom but still had four players rush for 30 yards or more. The rushing success for the Bears is even more vital as Fields has only had two games this season in which he has thrown for 175 yards or more.
The passing game struggles are due to Chicago’s limited talent at the wide receiver position. Getsy continues to put Bears’ wide receivers in spots to make big plays, but they fail to rise to the moment. Rookie pass-catcher Velus Jones Jr dropped what should have been a 45-yard completion in the second quarter, while Equanimeous St. Brown dropped a would-be touchdown pass in the endzone on the following offensive series for Chicago. Getsy is putting Fields in a position to be successful as a passer, but the Bears’ wide receivers are not being fully helpful.
I know he’s a draft pick but you can’t keep putting Jones on the Field. He obviously can’t catch.
Maybe you try him at running back. #DaBears #BearDown pic.twitter.com/XLPLEbV25y
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 30, 2022
Overcoming the limitations at the wide receiver and offensive line positions is extremely significant given the circumstances Chicago’s offense has had to play in the last few weeks. In the last two games on the road against proven defenses, the Bears have averaged 31 points and 391 total yards. Getsy’s offensive scheme is putting the Bears’ offense in a position to produce while only having Fields, Darnell Mooney, David Montgomery, and Khalil Herbert as their only playmakers.
Chicago’s Offense Still Has Room To Improve Over The Remainder of The Season
Although Fields’ passing numbers have not been the best this season, Chicago’s second-year quarterback has a chance to improve on his numbers over the next several games. The Bears’ next three games will be against the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Atlanta Falcons. All three of those opponents have struggled to defend against the pass this season, as, on Sunday, they all allowed 300 yards passing. With Chicago’s top rushing offense, opponents could further struggle against the pass as Getsy could utilize a heavy amount of play-action passing plays to freeze the defenses.
The Miami #Dolphins defense, in the first half, allowed:
• 27 points
• 17 first downs
• 326 total yards of offense
• 8.8 yards per play
I will not repeat what Mike McDaniel said, but what McDaniel said is what needs to occur in the second half.
— Brandon Liguori (@BrandonRLiguori) October 30, 2022
Additionally, Chicago’s passing offense will benefit from several players returning from injury starting next week. Wide receiver Byron Pringle will likely return against the Dolphins, while Harry returned from injury last week and is becoming more prevalent in Chicago’s passing offense week by week. Being able to throw to a trio of Mooney, Harry, and Pringle will give Fields a chance to succeed more in the passing game and provide Getsy with more flexibility in calling plays.
It will be interesting to see what Getsy can do from a pass-protection standpoint playing lesser-qualified defensive teams. Chicago has found success over the past two weeks throwing from moving pockets and allowing Fields’ scrambling ability to set up big plays. Chicago’s quarterback has confused defenders in the past two games by threatening to run the ball only to throw it and vice-versa. Getsy will have a chance to begin building passing plays off of that threat his quarterback is displaying every game now.
Luke Getsy's offense gameplan has been so improved in recent weeks. Love what he has been drawing up
— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) October 30, 2022
Although it is a rebuilding year, and the Bears will need to add talent during the offseason at the offensive line and receiver positions, it is significant to have a proven play-caller in place. Getsy, through eight games as Chicago’s offensive coordinator, has established an ability to create innovative plays while keeping aspects of the offense simple to compensate for the lack of talent. If the Bears’ offense continues to be productive, despite their current talent gap, they could be a top offensive once talented players are added in the upcoming offseason.
And for my knowledge about football. Other than playing semi professionally until I was 35 and my grandfather was a guard for the 49ers when they were an expansion team…I probably forgot more about football than you know. Yall can’t keep giving Fields a pass for his bad play and blaming the line and his talent. For the most part he has the time and his are open. He just doesn’t read defenses well nor does he sense pressure very well. Yall piled on Trubisky for this very same thing and shrug for Fields. Sorry not sorry. Trubisky took the… Read more »
@olinepride
Yup. Go to opposition teams websites and read how they played the Bears. Fields is his own worst enemy. The Bears had to dummy down the playbook to an RPO system because Fields was absolutely awful and incapable of being a QB in either system he’s been in. His mechanical problems are his. His overthrow/underthrows are his. His sacks over 4 seconds are his. His fumbles are his. His bad reads are his.
Own it. Stop giving him excuses.
Some dude in here doesn’t know a damn thing about football saying its 75% Fields fault … This is why people shouldn’t procreate.
“The passing game struggles are due to Chicago’s limited talent at the wide receiver position”
This is patently false. The passing game struggles are 75% on Fields. Missing wide open players, inability to anticipate routes, holding onto the ball too long, looking only for deep throws, fumbling, not reading defenses and bad throws are NOT DUE TO BAD TALENT AROUND HIM.
330 yards in 2 games? Really?! Have higher expectations for 1st round QBs in their 2nd year.
And thanks, Kenny. You said it way better than what I tried. So excited for this team.