Bears’ Lack of Explosive Plays Proves Costly in Loss to Vikings
In a disappointing 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the Chicago Bears’ offense struggled to generate explosive plays, a factor that former head coach Dave Wannstedt believes was pivotal in the defeat. The injury to quarterback Justin Fields may have been the most significant setback, but the team’s failure to capitalize on takeaway opportunities and produce big plays also contributed to the loss.
Wannstedt shared his concerns during an appearance on NBC Chicago’s morning news, highlighting the importance of explosive plays in today’s NFL. The former coach emphasized that relying solely on a conservative, “three yards and a cloud of dust” style of offense is insufficient in a league increasingly dominated by big-play quarterbacks. Wannstedt argued that the Bears’ offense needs to generate quick scores through big pass plays, pointing out that the team’s average of three yards per play falls short of the expected five to six yards per play.
While the Bears’ rushing attack was effective, even without their top two running backs Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, the lack of explosive plays ultimately hindered their success. Led by D’Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans, with contributions from quarterback scrambles and a few carries by Velus Jones, the Bears managed to accumulate 162 rushing yards on 36 carries, resulting in a solid average of 4.5 yards per carry. This performance should have provided balance and kept the offense ahead of the sticks. However, the team only achieved two plays that gained 20 or more yards, both occurring during scoring drives that contributed to 10 of their 13 points. In the remaining 10 drives without a 20-yard play, the Bears only reached the red zone once, which led to their other three points.
Wannstedt acknowledged that the Bears executed the foundational aspects of the game, such as minimizing penalties and turnovers, which are crucial for success. However, he expressed concern over the team’s persistent lack of big plays in recent years, emphasizing their significance in creating momentum and game-changing moments.
As the Bears reflect on their loss to the Vikings, the need for explosive plays becomes increasingly apparent. Generating more big pass plays would not only provide quick scoring opportunities but also inject much-needed excitement and momentum into the offense. The Bears must address this issue moving forward to maximize their potential and secure victories in future matchups.