The Chicago Bears have struggled in short yardage situations this season, including most notably in Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Facing a third-and-1 at their own 34-yard line, the Bears had a chance to extend the drive and burn some of the five remaining minutes of clock and close out their 24-16 lead. Rookie running back Roschon Johnson took the direct snap and was promptly stuffed for no gain, forcing them to punt.
While Chicago was able to close out the 27-16 win, it was reminiscent of those short yardage struggles that have plagued the offense all season. If the Bears had been playing a better team, it could’ve resulted in a loss (like what happened against the Cleveland Browns the previous week).
Chicago has converted 72 percent of runs on third-and-1 or third-and-2, and they’ve converted 66.6 percent of passes in those same situations, per NBC Sports Chicago. On fourth down, it’s 55.5 percent (runs) and 50 percent (passes).
Head coach Matt Eberflus preached the importance of executing better in those situations, and he’s hopeful they’ll get there.
“We have to do a better job with short yardage,” Eberflus told reporters Tuesday. “There’s no question about that. You have to have a staple, something that you go to. It’s usually the sneak or the wedge or the rugby, whatever you’re calling that, the Philadelphia play, and we’ve done that a couple times. But we need to be more effective with that. We’re looking to be more effective at that. Because you need something like that where you can always go to that.”
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has tried an array of things on those short yardage situations, including quarterback sneaks, tight end sneaks, bootlegs and power runs. But he’s yet to find something that’s proven to be effective.