NFL Chicago Bears

Matt Forte is Key to Chicago Bears’ Week 10 Win

Fresh Videos

By @ClydeASpeller

Getty Images

Getty Images

This coming Sunday night, the Chicago Bears will begin the second half of their season trying to climb out of the cellar of the NFC North when they travel to Lambeau Field to face the rival Green Bay Packers. This will obviously be a difficult task, knowing that the Packers have dominated the Bears over the past several years. However, there is one major factor that can change Chicago’s fortunes against Green Bay.

Bears running back Matt Forte will be the most important element to the Bears’ success versus the Packers. Forte does pose as a significant threat as a receiver out of the backfield. The seven-year veteran has 58 receptions on the season, which is currently second in the NFL and first among all running backs. Although his receiving skills prove to be a threat, it is what he can potentially do to Green Bay’s run defense that could cause major worry for the Packers.

Green Bay’s run defense is dead last in the league, surrendering an average of 153.5 yards per game. In the last three games versus the Packers, Forte has averaged 23.0 carries and 119.0 yards. The Pro-Bowl running back is averaging only 16.3 carries per game so far this season. Many have said that handing the ball to Forte more often would greatly increase the Bears’ chances of winning. In this instance, it will also keep arguably the most dangerous quarterback in the league off of the field.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having another stellar season. Green Bay’s signal caller has thrown 19 touchdowns and only three interceptions, and has the highest passer rating among starting quarterbacks in the NFL (113.6). On the flipside, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is showing signs of struggle as usual. Furthermore, Cutler’s history against the Packers points to another dreadful aerial attack for Chicago.

Cutler’s career against Green Bay has been despicable, to say the least. Including the one game as a member of the Denver Broncos, the nine-year veteran has thrown for 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, with a passer rating of 67.0 when facing the Packers. Unfortunately, what jumps out the most is Cutler’s 1-10 record versus Green Bay. So having a healthy dose of Forte will definitely alleviate some of Cutler’s responsibilities.

Increasing Forte’s role in the running game will also help Chicago’s defense. The Bears are somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to team sacks (20). It’s too bad that they aren’t getting the expected production from key players along the defensive front. Bears defensive end Jared Allen has only 1.5 sacks so far, while fellow defensive end Lamarr Houston is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Green Bay’s offensive line has given up 21 sacks on the season thus far, but Chicago’s pass rush struggled against the Packers in Week 4. Their lack of pressure on Rodgers left Chicago’s safeties vulnerable in the passing game, allowing both Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to have over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns each.

Winning the time of possession battle by letting Forte tote the rock will keep Chicago’s defense off the field, and let them remain fresh throughout the game.

With all of that being said, making Forte the focal point of the offense on the ground will not only keep the ball out of Rodgers’ hands, but will also put less pressure on Cutler to make big plays with his arm, significantly reducing the chances of any disappointing interceptions in crucial moments of the game, and make it much easier on a Bears defense that hasn’t shown total consistency in their pass rush all season long.

Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on