Fansided

5 reasons Bears can win the Super Bowl this year

By Russell S. Baxter

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy comes out onto the field before a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. The Panthers won, 23-13. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy comes out onto the field before a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019. The Panthers won, 23-13. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen (29) runs in action during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on December 16, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 16: Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen (29) runs in action during an NFL game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on December 16, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Balanced offense

Back in 2016, former Indiana University running back Thomas Howard Jordan Howard finished second in the league in rushing behind Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliot. After us a slow start, she became a bigger factor in Chicago’s ground attack as the season wore on. He finished the year with 252 attempts, good for 1,313 yards and six scores.

One year later, he was once again was the main ball carrier in the Windy City. The workhorse performer amassed 276 carries for 1,122 and nine touchdowns. And this past season common, the first under new Bears’ head coach Matt Nagy, Howard was again the Bears’ top rusher. There were 935 yards and nine scores on 250 carries.

But as time wore on, the yards per carry began to decrease. And the three-year pro didn’t really seem to be a fit in the team’s new offense. So GM Ryan Pace shipped the 2016 Pro Bowler to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year. And he figures to be just what the doctor ordered for the Birds.

As for Chicago, the team’s running attack this season figures to be a three-headed monster in Tarik Cohen, free-agent pickup Mike Davis and rookie David Montgomery – a third-round pick from Iowa State. The former totaled a combined 1,169 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns and led the team with 71 catches. The versatile performer also handled punt return duties a year ago. Davis rushed for 514 yards and four scores for the Seahawks in ’18.

Chicago finished 11th in the league in rushing yards per game (121.1) this past season. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky played a role in that as well. And only five teams in the NFL averaged more running plays per contest. That kind of balance should continue this season, only done in a different way.

Next: No. 2

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