4th and Goal(s): Glimpse Into Nagy-less Future Possible Against Niners
Nagy's out due to COVID, will it free the Bears offense up against San Francisco?
Reeling from a horrific loss in Tampa last Sunday, the Chicago Bears need to pick themselves back up for a big matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
These 49ers are reeling themselves and are struggling as of late much like the Bears. Seeing as how the Bears are the home team in this match-up you’d think they’d have a slight edge here, but Vegas isn’t having it with betting lines for this game typically having the Bears as a 3.5 point underdog coming into Sunday.
Both teams seem to be pretty equally matched, though, and the need to take advantage of this game before their gauntlet of a schedule continues with a conclusion of its AFC North portion (at Pittsburgh, home against Baltimore comprise the first half of November) means this game is a big one. If the Bears can find a way to get a victory this Sunday they can potentially reset themselves, getting back to .500 in time for a Monday Night contest against the Steelers.
Another big storyline to this game is who will be the Bears head coach this Sunday? It will actually be special teams coordinator Chris Tabor stepping up with Matt Nagy’s status officially OUT after coming down with COVID. How much of a difference will that make in the team’s final preparations for San Francisco and its eventual execution against the 49ers is yet to be seen.
Now let's examine what the Bears need to do in order to get a much-needed victory.
Better matchup - Even though the Bears, specifically Khalil Herbert, were able to run the football well against the Buccaneers, it did not translate to sustained offensive success. That may change this week as this 49ers team looks like the opposite to the defense the Bears played a week ago. Currently the 49ers are one of the best teams against the pass but not so good against the run.
Nothing should change for the Bears offense. Until this offensive line acquires the talent to pass protect, the Bears need to run the rock often, especially against poor run defenses. The next step in this progression is complimenting the run game with play-action passing.
Speaking of play action - Like, what the hell Bears, y’all can’t score if life depended on it and yet the offense won’t do all they can to increase their chances?
THIS IS REAL SIMPLE, pick out a few formations and run plays and draw up some play action off those and make the fake actually look like a RUN!!! Ridiculousness and insanity are a powerful combination and its struck the Bears braintrust for far too long.
Got to get back to it - Perhaps the most disappointing part of last week’s loss was how poor the defense played against Tampa Bay. It may have been somewhat explainable without even a semblance of offense to help control the game, but the defense can’t be so easily beaten, even against a GOAT-led unit such as the Bucs had.
To make matters worse, the game added to the wear and tear on top edge rusher Khalil Mack, who will not be available this week because of his ongoing foot injury. COVID and injuries are hurting the Bears defense and young defensive coordinator Sean Desai has his work cut out for him leading this group.
Some good news emerged in the past 24 hours with the announcement of Robert Quinn coming off COVID protocol, but if the Bears defense can’t rise up and give a strong gutsy effort then it will be nearly impossible to win this game, unless the 49ers simply implode.
Be aggressive, B-E aggressive - Last week against Tampa it felt like the Bears would have to potentially take a gamble or two in order to steal one on the road. This game is a much better matchup for the Bears on its face - maybe the need to gamble won’t be a factor, but the team that fights harder for this win will get it.
Best believe that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is desperate for a win for his 2-4 team and will be on a constant prowl trying to find an opportunity to either push the ball downfield or take a gamble on special teams. Unless it is on offense, the Bears tend to play things pretty safe.
The safe play might ultimately work in the Bears favor. It just does not feel like the Bears will be able to score enough without some help via a big play or two from the defense and special teams. Perhaps we’ll see more of the special teams gamble with Chris Tabor patrolling the sideline this week.
Ryan Bukowiecki covers the Chicago Bears and professional football for WARR