Line leaves Howard hanging
Thoughts and observations after watching film of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 17- 16 victory against the Bears in Week 6.
Just not his day
The Bears went to the hot hand, and rookie running back Jordan Howard’s opportunities decreased.
After surpassing 100 rushing yards in consecutive weeks, Howard had 34 yards on 15 carries against the Jaguars, who often kept eight players in the box. In the first half, he had 10 carries for 16 yards and a one- yard touchdown run.
“It was just how it went,” coach John Fox said. “It’s no indictment on anybody.”
Well, maybe the offensive line, which had been better the previous few weeks and simply blocked better when Ka’Deem Carey ( nine carries, 50 yards) got the ball. Howard came in averaging 5.8 per carry this season but only averaged 2.3 yards against the Jaguars. Defensive linemen tackled him on 12 of his 14 carries, not counting his touchdown run.
Three examples of the offensive line’s struggles:
On Howard’s first carry, rookie center Cody Whitehair failed to cut off veteran defensive tackle Roy Miller on a stretch run to the right. Miller tackled Howard for no gain.
Later in the first quarter, defensive end Jared Odrick beat right tackle Bobby Massie inside, which forced Howard into defensive tackle Malik Jackson, who split the line’s zone blocking. It resulted in a two- yard loss.
On first- and- goal from the 5- yard line in the third quarter, defensive tackle Abry Jones overpowered Whitehair, closed a developing hole and eliminated a possible cutback. It resulted in a one- yard loss.
Pass- rush problems
Outside linebacker Willie Young, who had two sacks and a forced fumble, is the Bears’ only consistent pass- rush threat.
The best example of the Bears’ pass- rush problems came in the fourth quarter, during the Jaguars’ four- play possession that ended in wide receiver Arrelious Benn’s 51- yard score. Facing no pressure, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles beat the Bears with 13- and 14- yard completions for consecutive first downs. That didn’t sit well with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. On the third play, the Bears blitzed, sending in seven rushers, including nickel back Cra’Von LeBlanc. The secondary was in zero- man coverage. The blitz forced an overthrow by Bortles.
The Bears came after Bortles on the next play, too. Again, seven rushers were sent in, including LeBlanc. Bortles found Benn, who turned a 15- yard completion into the long, game- changing touchdown after cornerback Tracy Porter slipped. With the Bears applying pressure and in zero- man coverage, there was no one behind Porter to help. The Bears blitzed Bortles seven times overall.
It’s the little things
Short, quick throws are a staple of Brian Hoyer’s game. He completed only five throws over 10 yards. His two longest gains were on short throws: Cameron Meredith turned a quick- screen throw behind the line of scrimmage into a 36- yard gain, and Alshon Jeffery got 26 yards on a 10yard curl route when he broke cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s tackle.