HOWARD HITS GROUND RUNNING
Bears RB says he was ‘ready for my moment’ after turning in best game of season vs. Rams
Bears running backs coach Charles London told running back Jordan Howard not to look at the scoreboard late in the game Sunday against the Rams. It was too late.
With the Bears’ defense trying to get one last stop in their 15-6 victory, Howard already had found his rushing total on the Soldier Field screen. He had 18 carries for 99 yards.
When cornerback Prince Amukamara intercepted Jared Goff with 2:13 left, Howard got his chance at the century mark. On the last play before the Bears began kneeling down, he plunged forward for a two-yard gain and his first triple-digit rushing total of the season.
It marked Howard’s first such game in 364 days. He had 23 carries for 147 yards on Dec. 10, 2017, against the Bengals.
Howard picked a perfect time to have his best game of the season — when quarterback Mitch Trubisky was playing his worst.
‘‘He made up his mind [Sunday] when he touched the ball that he was going to run hard and finish runs and pick up tough yards for this offense,’’ Trubisky said.
The combination of Trubisky’s inaccurate throws and the Bears’ dominant defense forced coach Matt Nagy to call a game unlike any this season. He was, at least by his own standard, conservative. He leaned on his running game. The Bears’ 194 rushing yards were by far their most of the season.
‘‘All things considered, the passing game wasn’t really there,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘So we decided to go that route, and it worked.’’
The Bears have praised Howard’s attitude throughout this season, during which they had failed to unleash a player who totaled 2,435 rushing yards in his first two seasons. Before Sunday, Howard had rushed for at least 70 yards in only three games this season. In five others, he failed to top 40.
Those struggles made his performance Sunday that much sweeter.
‘‘It says a lot,’’ Howard said. ‘‘I just had to stay patient. I knew my time was gonna come. I didn’t know when, but I knew I had to be ready for my moment.’’ Howard was ready against the Rams. ‘‘I’m OK with guys being frustrated throughout the year because that means they care,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘But you handle it the right way. And that’s what he’s done from the very start. And I appreciate that.’’
All season, Nagy has told Howard that the Bears would figure out their running game and that there would be times the Bears needed him. For one night, both points proved prescient.
‘‘[Sunday] was a great opportunity for him to get those chances,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘I thought he ran the ball hard and his vision was good. And, of course, it starts with the O-line making sure that penetration’s there and it’s not happening on the other side of the line of scrimmage.’’
Tarik Cohen was more electric than Howard, gaining 69 yards on nine carries. Cohen had runs of 32 and 23 yards — the Bears’ two longest plays of the game and their two longest runs of the season.
‘‘I was hoping to get both of us 100 yards,’’ Howard said.
The Bears, however, had to settle for one 100-yard rusher.
‘‘I felt like if Coach was going to give me the ball, I was going to try to take advantage of my opportunities,’’ Howard said.
Nagy has been clear that he won’t be beholden to football convention. A screen is sometimes as good as a run. But as they march toward the playoffs, the Bears know Sunday won’t be the last time they will need a physical rushing attack.
‘‘When it’s cold outside, a lot of people don’t wanna tackle,’’ Howard said.