Joniak: Run Game Will Lead To Dallas
CHICAGO (WBBM) - To get to the Super Bowl in Dallas, the Bears have to give the ball to Matt Forte.
One of the underrated stories of the 2010 season, Forte emerged in a big way with 961 scrimmage yards in the final nine weeks, fifth best in the NFL.
Those nine games included five against top-10 defenses, and in his final two games against the Jets and Packers he piled up 320 yards rushing and receiving combined.
Forte averaged 4.9 yards a carry in the final nine weeks and rushed for three touchdowns. In the final six weeks, the average blew up to 5.8 yards a carry, fifth best in the NFL.
In week six against Seattle, Forte carried only eight times for 11 yards. The loss amplified the screaming need to move in the direction of balance. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz made the change and the Bears won seven of their final nine games.
If Forte gets at least 20 to 25 touches on Sunday against Seattle, the Bears offense should sprout back to life and stay on the 24 points-per-game path that led them to the playoffs over the final six games of the season.
Jeff Joniak
