Frequently Asked Questions
How bad was the Bears' rushing attack decline in their final games?
The Bears' rushing yards per game dropped from 144.5 to 89.3 (a 38% collapse) and their yards per carry plummeted from 4.9 to 3.9. They went from being 1st in the NFL in yards before contact to struggling against depleted defensive fronts.
What caused the Bears to abandon their successful running game?
The coaching staff panicked when falling behind by double digits and abandoned their identity. Their rushing play percentage dropped to just 35% in the last three games as they became one-dimensional, making it easier for defenses to pin their ears back and rush the passer.
Which Bears offensive linemen struggled during the late-season collapse?
Center Drew Dalman and guard Jonah Jackson regressed hard in run blocking during the final month. They failed to execute combo blocks and get vertical push, with reports of problematic snap exchanges between Dalman and quarterback Caleb Williams.
Did the Bears struggle against elite defenses or weak ones?
The Bears embarrassingly struggled against injury-depleted defenses, not elite units. They averaged just 3.3 yards per carry against a Packers defense missing key players and managed only 3.6 yards per carry against a regressed Lions defense.
What was the Bears' rushing success before their late-season collapse?
From Week 6 to Week 15, the Bears were 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards, 1st in yards before contact, and 1st in rushing success rate. They were averaging 144.5 yards per game and nearly 5 yards per carry while physically dominating defenses.