TEXANS EXTRA
NOON TODAY AT SOLDIER FIELD, CHICAGO • TV: CBS • RADIO: 610 AM, 100.3 FM, 101.1 FM (SPANISH)
WHEN THE BEARS RUN
The Bears have a tradition of running the ball effectively, especially at Soldier Field, but not this season. They’re 31st in rushing (86.9-yard average). David Montgomery is their leading rusher with 647 yards, including a 4.1 average, and three touchdowns. If they had Nick Foles at quarterback, the Texans wouldn’t have to respect him as a runner, but that’s not the case with his replacement, Mitchell Trubisky. He doesn’t run a lot, but he’s effective, averaging 7.1 yards a carry. In five of their past six games, the Texans’ run defense has improved, allowing 103 yards. They’ve been playing smarter, and their tackling has improved. Still, they’re 31st against the run (150.9 yards). Inside linebackers Zach Cunningham and Tyrell Adams are their best tacklers. They’ll get after Montgomery whether he’s trying to run inside the tackles or bounce outside. They have to be careful when the Bears’ protection breaks down and Trubisky takes off, especially on third down.
WHEN THE BEARS PASS
Mitchell Trubisky has completed 62 percent, including 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. His average per attempt of 6.44 yards shows he’s throwing a lot of short passes. The Bears are 30th in offense (312.3 yards), including 23rd in passing (225.4). Trubisky is more mobile than Nick Foles, and the Bears take advantage of his running ability. His three wide receivers have at least 40 catches, with Allen Robinson II the leader with 77 for 904 yards and five touchdowns. Robinson can make catches all over the field. Tight end Jimmy Graham is a large target who has 38 catches and five touchdowns. The Texans have to watch him carefully inside their 10-yard line. Trubisky spreads the ball around. He also will utilize David Montgomery out of the backfield. The Bears will double J. J. Watt and not worry about pressure from the other linemen. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has been blitzing more in recent games, and the safeties and cornerbacks are disrupting the quarterback’s timing with his receivers. The Texans are 21st against the pass (255.4), and they’re playing without the suspended Bradley Roby.
WHEN THE TEXANS RUN
The Texans can’t run the ball on anybody, but offensive coordinator Tim Kelly can’t just abandon the run because defenses would tee off on Deshaun Watson. There’s a reason the Texans have languished at or near the bottom of the weekly rushing statistics. Whether it’s David Johnson or Duke Johnson, there’s an alarming lack of consistent production from the running game. The run blocking has ranged from poor to mediocre.
They’re most dangerous when Watson catches the defenses off guard by escaping the pocket and taking off for valuable yardage. The Texans are last in rushing this week (84.4-yard average). They’ve run 262 times, fewer than any team in the league. That’s smart. Why call for handoffs when Watson can throw? They average a pedestrian 3.9 yards a carry, but Watson has a lot to do with that statistic. Imagine how bad that would be if Watson never ran. Bears are 15th in defense (354.5), including 17th against the run (116.1).
WHEN THE TEXANS PASS
The Texans can’t win unless Deshaun Watson is outstanding. Sometimes, that’s not even enough. No Will Fuller, no Randall Cobb, no problem. In the loss to Indianapolis, Watson made 100-yard receivers out of Keke Coutee and Chad Hansen. The Texans are tied for 16th in offense (364.3-yard average). They’re second in passing (279.8). Watson’s string of six consecutive games without an interception ended against the Colts, but it wasn’t his fault. He put the ball on target, and Brandin Cooks caught it but got it taken away for his sixth interception to go with 24 touchdowns. The Indianapolis game was the first time this season Watson didn’t throw for a touchdown. He averages a league-high 8.84 yards per attempt, the best of his career. Coutee and Hansen stepped up against the Colts and made catches down the field. They need to do it again against a Chicago pass defense that’s
17th (238.4). The Bears are loaded with talent on defense, including linebackers Khalil Mack (6½ sacks) and Roquan Smith, tackle Akiem Hicks and safety Eddie Jackson.