Weather forecast can play right into Ben Johnson’s wheelhouse against the Browns and help the Bears start faster on offense
The elements will play a big role in Sunday’s game for the Chicago Bears.
A lot went wrong for the Chicago Bears leading to the team’s Week 14 loss against the Green Bay Packers and while the story of the game was the final play, the Bears did themselves no favors by continuing to dig a hole early on in that game.
Four of the team’s first five drives on offense ended with a punt and big plays allowed by the defense turned up the urgency for the team coming out of halftime.
While speaking to reporters on Monday, head coach Ben Johnson noted his team had no magic adjustment at halftime, just simply played with better execution, something that started with quarterback Caleb Williams.
“I think it just comes down to small details from me,” Williams said after the game. “I think it comes down to footwork. Getting a rhythm faster. And then small details for us in the passing game, making sure everybody is where they need to be and communicating that properly, and just create the right mindset on those drives and going into the drives.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, starting the game with that kind of mindset on offense needs to be a priority and the early weather forecasts play right into the Bears’ cards for establishing a stronger start on offense.
Bears expecting to have blistering weather conditions at Soldier Field
While it’s not the kind of conditions the Bears faced earlier in the season against the Washington Commanders with the rain or against the Philadelphia Eagles with the wind, the conditions aren’t going to be pleasant at Soldier Field this weekend. This time, though, it plays into Chicago’s advantage for the way this offense intends to play their brand of football.
The early forecasts on Wednesday are calling for a potential -20 degree windchill at kickoff for Sunday’s game, easily the coldest game of the season for any team this year. It’s December Football at it’s finest and something the Bears are used to playing at Soldier Field, and now built for.
The backbone of this Bears’ offense is easily the run game. Chicago’s offensive front has been bullying teams all season and the two-back approach has been beating down defense while keeping fresh legs in the backfield. Chicago is truly built for this kind of game and this unit has proven to be able to execute long demoralizing drives that can be perfect in this kind of atmosphere.
Look no further than Chicago’s 17-play drive in the fourth quarter against the Packers. A drive that totaled 83 yards and included eight runs plays involving D’Andre Swift or Kyle Monangai.
“The backs ran hard throughout that game,” Johnson explained during his interview with Jeff Joniak. “Physical, physical, physical game up front. I thought our O-line, certainly in the second-half, you could feel them getting a little bit more push.”
The Bears had a similar style drive late in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys. A 19-play drive that went 76 yards and featured eight runs plays with the backs. That’s the style of game the Bears are going to be looking to run in these elements on Sunday.
And leaning into that mindset early can help the offense avoid a slow start. Last Sunday, the Bears only ran the ball four times on the first three offensive drives. Leaning into the run game out of the gate and executing on the details should help lead to more fruitful drives early for Chicago.