The Chicago Bears offense ranks 28th in the NFL through the first six weeks of 2020. That is just one spot better from where they finished in 2019. So it’s safe to say the work GM Ryan Pace did in the offseason to improve the unit hasn’t amounted to much. That is why a lot of fans are upset. Despite being 5-1, it feels like this offense is holding the team back from being legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Especially given how good the defense has been.
The game against the Carolina Panthers might’ve been a breaking point for some in the locker room. While the Bears put up 23 points, anybody who watched the tape could clearly see the team left a boatload of opportunities out on the field. The offensive line missed a series of blocks. Passes were misplayed. Way too often the execution was spotty.
Frankly, the Bears should’ve blown that game wide open.
It didn’t happen though. That might explain what happened next. When the offense reconvened on Wednesday for a thorough film review, apparently things got quite spirited in the room. According to Allen Robinson, guys were calling each other out and demanding better. Everybody seemed to feel they weren’t playing as well as they should and it was time to stop messing around.
“Just seeing the involvement with everybody chiming in as far as their assignments and details and things that they can improve on, and just the communication across the board, is great to see. After a win, I think everybody is seeking accountability for what’s going on. Nobody’s pointing any fingers or things like that. Guys are looking for the areas they can improve on.”
Is anyone out there able to explain to me why Demetrius Harris, who's blocking BRIAN BURNS on the #Bears' flea flicker, just…. stops playing?
I get selling the play and whatnot, but that's the ONE guy you probably shouldn't loosen up on. Surprise surprise, he lights up Foles pic.twitter.com/ho9AB4AemD
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) October 20, 2020
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Nick Foles undoubtedly made a dumb decision on this INT, but goodness take a look at the IOL — between Ifedi, Whitehair, and Coward, I'm not sure the DL even slows down.
If Foles doesn't get moved, I actually think an earlier throw gets a completion. That said, throw this away. pic.twitter.com/e3QjkhxqPk
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) October 21, 2020
One thing I'd like to see from the #Bears going forward is a bit less predictability in *some* of their playcalls.
A lot of their calls are great, but by the 3rd Q Rhule was run-blitzing 1st down OZ runs (1st play) and baiting out ARob's in-breaking routes (2nd & 3rd plays). pic.twitter.com/sw9JyNzccH
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) October 21, 2020
Chicago Bears offense a prisoner of its blocking
The reality is everything tends to start up front for an NFL offense. People can talk about Matt Nagy and his play calling all day. Anybody who has watched this team can clearly see the offensive line just isn’t up to the task of blocking enough to execute the calls. Chicago is 28th in rushing which isn’t a surprise given how poor the front five are at generating push on the ground. On paper, they’ve allowed just 11 sacks but that is misleading.
If not for Nick Foles getting the ball out fast so many times, it would be much higher.
It’s fair to ask. Do the Bears have any good linemen? James Daniels fit that criterion but he was lost for the season to a pectoral injury. Cody Whitehair has been fine but nobody would call his play good to this point. Bobby Massie has looked serviceable along with Germain Ifedi on the right side.
The real source of the problem is the left.
Charles Leno Jr. continues his downward spiral at left tackle. Stats say he’s allowed just one sack. That is misleading. Leno has been beaten badly several times this season. It grew even worse when Daniels was no longer there to help cover up his deficiencies. Rashaad Coward looked atrocious in his first attempts at left guard.
If the Chicago Bears offense can’t find a way to bolster that area of their front, then it won’t matter what any of the skill position players do or don’t do. Foles can’t make things happen without at least average blocking. No doubt this was all part of that discussion on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see the effect it has on Monday night in Los Angeles.