In a thrilling matchup, the Chicago Bears dominated the Los Angeles Rams, securing a 24-18 victory. The Bears’ offense, which had struggled in previous games, finally found its rhythm, thanks in large part to the powerful running game.
After a disastrous goal-line series the previous week, the Bears went back to basics, utilizing their most potent rusher out of the I-formation to score their first touchdown. With three tight ends on the field and a backup center lined up at fullback, 6-foot, 225-pound running back Roschon Johnson easily powered his way into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run.
This was more than just a nod to the Bears’ rich history of ground-and-pound football; it was a crucial aspect of their offensive identity that had been missing since the start of the season. After boasting one of the top rushing offenses in the league last year, the Bears had struggled to establish a consistent running game in their first three games.
However, against the Rams, the Bears’ stable of backs, led by D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, and Johnson, finally found their footing. The team amassed 131 yards and two touchdowns on 28 attempts, with Swift breaking out of his early-season slump.
Swift, who had averaged a paltry 1.8 yards per carry through three weeks, exploded for 93 yards on 16 carries and added 72 yards on seven receptions. His game-defining touchdown late in the fourth quarter, a 36-yard dash into the end zone, was the longest rushing touchdown the Bears had recorded since Week 18 of the 2022 season.
The resurgence of the running game had a profound impact on the entire offense. “It opens everybody else up,” wide receiver DJ Moore said. “When [Swift] gets out in the pass game and sneaks out of the backfield, he can go the distance.”
As the Bears look to build on this momentum, it’s clear that their powerful running game will be a key component of their success.
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