Bears-Packers preview: Chicago must turn sustained drives into touchdowns

Tyson Bagent found something to regret in a touchdown drive. Larry Mayer of chicagobears.com reported that Bagent singled out Luther Burden III crossing the middle against the Jets as an opportunity he missed. Bagent instead completed a six-yard pass to Cole Kmet, with Burden open about 15 yards farther downfield.

Chicago visits Green Bay at Lambeau Field on October 11 for a noon CT kickoff. A third straight victory would put the Bears at 4-1. The NFL gamebook records a first down on Kmet’s catch and a subsequent 15-yard face-mask penalty. Kyle Monangai’s five-yard touchdown run finished that nine-play, 72-yard scoring possession, which lasted 4:34.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com reported that Chicago collected 34 first downs while the Jets ran 32 plays. Yet the Bears scored touchdowns on only two of seven possessions inside the 20. Even a touchdown can conceal a chance to make the drive easier.

A completion worth reconsidering

Bagent acknowledged at his Chicago Bears press conference that he had been “a little quick to get down to the checkdown.” His proposed correction was to trust his feet and the timing of each installed play, then deliver without hesitation.

Waiting for an intended route to develop and recognizing when coverage has removed it demand different decisions. Throwing farther cannot serve as a correction for both. The useful distinction is whether the throw comes after the read has developed or before it has had that chance.

Mayer reported that Bagent changed two plays at the line against New York, producing completions of 21 yards to Rome Odunze and 22 yards to Burden. Bagent credited his repetitions and the answers his coaches supplied. Executing that teaching on time, he said, created those opportunities.

Offensive coordinator Press Taylor praised the huddle and line communication that allowed Chicago to shift, motion and reach its audible system, Mayer reported. Taylor also credited the passing game with keeping the offense in third-and-6 or less.

The recognition test changes against Green Bay: Taylor described its safeties and nickel as versatile defenders who disguise and rotate coverage. He said those players work in the box, deep in the post and in half-field coverage. Taylor also endorsed underneath completions when a called shot meets defenders deep downfield.

Chicago was practicing silent cadence, Bagent said, emphasizing loud communication under center and coordinated attention in shotgun.

Bagent will start in Green Bay, while Caleb Williams remains questionable. Williams returned to limited practice after his hamstring injury.

Finishing belongs to the whole offense

Chicago has scored four touchdowns on its last 15 red-zone possessions. Head coach Ben Johnson said at his Chicago Bears press conference that the staff had emphasized finishing drives before the Jets game and acknowledged that the ensuing performance showed the problem remained unresolved.

Johnson rejected “just one easy solution,” explaining that different failures had emerged each week. He called for sustained focus through long drives, clear and sound calls, and execution on the field.

Taylor’s review reaches the play menu itself: Mayer reported that he questioned whether Chicago carried too much red-zone inventory and examined unexpected defensive looks and what its tendencies reveal to opponents.

Asked about low-red-area execution at his Chicago Bears press conference, Burden said “everything need to get cleaned up,” placing the work on coaches and players together. He also described making plays and blocking as his responsibilities regardless of who played quarterback.

The backfield must carry that work without Monangai, ruled out with a toe injury. He rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries against New York. D’Andre Swift has no game injury designation after hip and knee issues. Roschon Johnson moves to No. 2 on the depth chart.

Roschon’s season sample consists of four carries for 16 yards, all in the fourth quarter against the Jets. In Mayer’s injury reporting, Ben Johnson praised his immediate north-south running after planting his foot. That direct running could keep second down manageable if Roschon can find a crease without first avoiding penetration.

Johnson separately praised Roschon’s receiving and tied his size to value in pass protection. That protection could give Bagent time to complete his read.

Chicago’s injury list, carried in the Packers’ report, gives Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Darnell Wright no game injury designations. Mayer’s injury update lists Micah Parsons on PUP. Edgerrin Cooper is out for the season for Green Bay.

Distance must disrupt Love

Mike Spofford of packers.com reported that Green Bay needed six or more yards on 30 of its 46 third downs, including double-digit yardage on 16. He identified early-down penalties as a reason for those difficult distances. Mayer’s game preview lists Green Bay last in rushing at 58.0 yards per game.

Mayer reported that Chicago’s last three opponents converted a combined 17.2% of their third downs, with the Jets going 0-for-7. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen credited players’ understanding and execution, with assistants establishing what each call required.

Allen assessed Jordan Love as among the league’s best when a clean pocket allows throws with rhythm and timing, Mayer reported. Love has taken one sack over his last two games after seven in the first two.

Montez Sweat will face Anthony Belton with Zach Bako-Bewele out for the season. Aaron Banks is doubtful. Chicago’s latest roster announcement lists Kyler Gordon and Shemar Turner out. Long yardage becomes more useful if pressure denies Love the time to let a route develop.

Back on offense, Roschon’s 11-yard carry against New York created first-and-goal at the 4, according to the gamebook. His no-gain carry, Monangai’s three-yard gain and Monangai’s subsequent two-yard loss led to a 21-yard field goal. Monangai’s absence changes the available backfield, but the work after a productive gain remains. Bagent’s regretted throw already belonged to a touchdown possession; Roschon’s carry put Chicago at the 4 with the finish still ahead.

Related reading

• Bears at Packers: Bagent Must Trust His Reads Against Disguises
• Bears face Lambeau test: turning productive drives into touchdowns
• Bears vs. Packers: Give Swift Room and Bagent Time at Lambeau