A short video of Chicago Bears backup quarterback Nick Foles sharing an emphatic observation to fellow veteran play-caller Andy Dalton.
“Offense just isn’t working,” said the quarterback who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots.
Only blind or naïve spectators would disagree with Foles because there’s no way around their scoring woes.
“This offense just isnt working.” – Nick Foles
It’s clear Matt Nagy has lost the lockerroom. #FireNagy
— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) September 27, 2021
The Bears generated 14 and six points in their losses to the Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns.
Meanwhile, they average 22 points in their two victories against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions.
Matt Nagy gets a ton of criticism for his conservative scheme, even if he has a versatile quarterback in Justin Fields.
He’s forcing his rookie starter to command a system that does not maximize his skill set.
However, there is an opening in the clouds in Week 4 after the Bears defeated their division rival.
Fields has more freedom to get a feel for the game and adjust to make the right decisions.
Allowing him to thrive and sometimes improvise gave Chicago their second win in four games.
The #Bears are letting Justin Fields throw vertical and he is dropping dimes. This one to Darnell Mooney is gorgeous. #DETvsCHIpic.twitter.com/QlG80nY21K
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 3, 2021
It’s a far cry from his performance against Cleveland, wherein he completed only six passes for 68 yards.
Unfortunately, the Bears yielded one net passing yard because of the Browns’ 67 total yards from nine quarterback sacks.
That’s the lowest passing yards since 2009 when the Tennessee Titans finished with negative seven yards in a 59-0 blowout to the Patriots.
Fields had an impressive response to that disappointing performance when he surpassed his Week 3 output in the first quarter.
The former Ohio State standout only had nine yards on three carries against Detroit.
But he offered more in the Bears’ passing attack.
Opening Up The Offense
Fields finished the game with 11 passes for 209 yards, zero touchdown passes, and an interception by Amari Oruwariye.
Despite the pedestrian numbers, the Bears offensive system in Week 4 gave more for more downfield passes.
He completed his four passes to Darnell Mooney, who had an impressive game of five catches for 125 yards.
Those completions went for four, four, 21, and 64 yards.
JUSTIN FIELDS. DIME. #DaBears
📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/W8Geyu5BuR— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
Allen Robinson also added three receptions for 63 yards.
Fields navigated a balance between the run and pass plays that Damien Williams gained 55 rushing yards and a touchdown.
But his numbers are nowhere close to David Montgomery‘s 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game due to injury.
David Montgomery is unstoppable right now. #DaBears @MontgomerDavid
📺: #DETvsCHI on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/8eAUlAllGH— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2021
Fields pushed the right buttons in ideal situations to give the Bears their second win in four games.
The change in dynamic could mean that offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was calling the shots against Detroit.
Their offense looked more free-flowing, with Lazor directing the drives.
More importantly, Fields is getting a better feel of the NFL game through the revamped offense.
This performance may settle Chicago’s quarterback situation for now.
Likewise, Lazor’s direction of the offense can be the key to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.
Their defense will try to neutralize the best passing team in the NFL.
As they hold their end of the bargain, Fields must build on this performance to unlock more wrinkles to their offensive attack.
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