chicago_suntimes
Even with a three-week lull in their running game, the Chicago Bears remain the NFL's top rushing team—a testament to the dramatic improvement coach Ben Johnson has orchestrated. However, the Bears can't rely solely on quarterback Caleb Williams, who is coming off an injury, when they face the defending champion Seahawks on Monday night. Every facet of the offense must function at a high level to compete against Seattle's defense.
The Seahawks boast elite talent at every level of their defense and rank sixth against the run. They recently limited the Kansas City Chiefs to a season-low 50 rushing yards, with 14 of those coming from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This places significant pressure on the Bears' offensive line and lead running back D'Andre Swift, who is already on pace for a career-high in carries.
"The front seven is one of the best in the league," Swift said. "They play with a high level of energy and speed at all positions. We've got our work cut out for ourselves. That's a great defense, but everyone here accepts that challenge."
Swift exploded for 124 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener against the Panthers but hasn't surpassed 100 rushing yards in a game since. The Bears' 295 rushing yards over their past three games (against the Packers, Falcons, and Patriots) represent their worst three-game stretch under Johnson since early last season. The slump coincides with the absence of No. 2 running back Kyle Monangai, who is dealing with a toe injury. In his last game, Monangai ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets. Without him, the Bears have given Roschon Johnson an opportunity in that role and this week signed practice-squad back Zavier Scott to the active roster. Monangai was not present during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media.
Nevertheless, the Bears are averaging 154.3 rushing yards per game this season, putting them on pace for a top-10 rushing season in franchise history. That figure was nearly 200 yards per game before the slump, and returning to that level of productivity is a priority. There's a strong chance this game will be decided by which team runs the ball more effectively.
It's difficult to pinpoint the strongest aspect of Seattle's defense, but their secondary might be the most formidable. That group is capable of covering the Bears' skill players and frustrating Williams, making a consistent run game essential. The fewer passes the Bears leave for cornerback Devon Witherspoon and safety Julian Love to defend, the better.
On the other side, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has thrown an NFL-high eight interceptions and is playing his worst football in three seasons, which could lead Seattle to lean more on their ground game. Additionally, the Seahawks might get rookie running back Jadarian Price back. Price, a first-round pick from Notre Dame, has been on injured reserve with a chest injury but is eligible to return Monday. He has been practicing, and coach Mike MacDonald said it's possible he'll be ready to play.
"I saw his first three games, and he's a good player," Bears linebacker Devin Bush said. "He was a first-round pick for a reason, but we haven't seen much of him, so we've got to respect what's on film right now and go off of that."
The Seahawks could also receive a boost from eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson, who joined the team this week via a trade with the Colts. MacDonald was similarly noncommittal about Nelson being up to speed to play Monday.
Johnson's flashy passing concepts often overshadow his run-first mentality, so when he says there's more to be had in the ground game, there's no doubt he spent the long weekend obsessing over ways to get it rolling again—even against the Seahawks.
Key Analysis
The Bears' rushing attack, while still ranked first in the NFL, has shown vulnerability in recent weeks, and the timing couldn't be worse with Seattle's formidable run defense on deck. The potential return of Monangai and the addition of Scott could provide a spark, but the offensive line must rise to the challenge against a Seahawks front seven that just stymied the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Seattle's offensive struggles, particularly Darnold's turnover issues, might force them to rely on their own running game, making this a battle of ground attacks. Johnson's commitment to the run will be tested, and how he adjusts could determine the outcome.
Originally reported by chicago_suntimes.