The hole opened toward the Soldier Field end zone in front of Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift on Sunday, but first he had an obstacle to clear.
Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Michael Hoecht was rolling on his back after a block by tight end Cole Kmet knocked him down, and Hoecht desperately flailed his arm to try to trip up Swift.
“I saw somebody on the ground, and then I kind of lifted my leg up,” Swift said. “And after that, it was just: Run.”
After Swift hurdled Hoecht, he cut away from diving Rams safety Kamren Kinchens and raced the final 20 yards into the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown. The score with 12 minutes and 26 seconds to play turned out to be the winner in a 24-18 victory over the Rams that broke a two-game losing streak.
It was the signature play of a breakout performance for both Swift and the Bears run game after three weeks of struggles.
Swift, who had 68 rushing yards through three games, totaled 93 rushing yards on 16 carries Sunday and helped the Bears gain steam after an ugly first half. Swift also led all Bears with seven catches for 72 yards. Second-year running back Roschon Johnson added seven carries for 26 yards and a touchdown. And quarterback Caleb Williams, who threw for 157 yards, had five carries for 12 yards.
Bears guard Matt Pryor, who was blocking a player next to the fallen Hoecht, thought for sure the outside linebacker was going to get Swift’s legs. When he realized Swift had broken free, he ran after him.
“I almost pulled my hammy,” Pryor said. “Yeah, man. It’s ecstatic to see him be able to get out there and put what he does best on the field. Great player, great runner, and I’m just happy he was able to put that out on the field.”
Swift, who joined the Bears on a three-year, $24 million contract in the offseason, had been hard on himself over the first three weeks as he managed an average of just 1.8 yards per carry, including 1.5 yards in the Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Swift met with offensive leaders during the week to try to pinpoint where he needed to be better.
Swift said he tried to “put my head down and go to work” despite the frustrations, and he kept faith that this could be the breakout week.
“That’s what I think about every single day, every time I step on the field and lace my cleats up, if God will allow me to do so,” Swift said. “So that’s my mentality every single day.”
Swift had a major impact on the game before the long touchdown as he connected with Williams in both the run and pass game. That included gaining 27 yards on a screen pass and making an 8-yard catch on back-to-back plays on a field goal drive to end the first half.
On a Bears touchdown drive before his score, Swift had carries of 4 and 9 yards and catches of 11 and 7 yards to fuel a surgical march that ended with Williams’ 9-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore. Johnson added carries of 8 and 5 yards on the drive that gave the Bears a 17-9 lead.
“Honestly, it’s not a surprise,” Johnson said of Swift’s game. “I knew eventually it would pop. Early in the season, we got off to a slow start as a unit in the running back room. But everybody knows his capabilities. He’s capable of taking it to the house and springing those big explosives.”
The game — especially the second half — was a confidence builder for more than just Swift.
The Bears utilized Johnson’s physical running style and they got creative on his 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. A week after failing to score on first-and-goal from the 4, the Bears offense was gifted with the football at the Rams 16 thanks to a Montez Sweat forced fumble and a Kyler Gordon recovery.
The Bears made it to the 1 after wide receiver Keenan Allen got Tre’Davious White to commit a pass interference penalty in the end zone.
Enter center Doug Kramer, who reported in as eligible and served as the fullback. He bulled his way forward into the end zone, and Johnson followed for the easy touchdown.
The Bears also used Kramer as the fullback on a third-and-1 play late in the game as they tried to run out the clock. Johnson gained 3 yards.
“Just looking at our players, trying to use the whole roster and making sure that we’re always thinking forward and being productive,” Eberflus said of the goal-line play. “My hats off to the offensive staff, utilizing the people and getting this team to do that.”
The offensive line had some bumps. It allowed three sacks on Caleb Williams and was responsible for four of the Bears’ seven first-half penalties.
But it now also has something to build on.
And the unit pulled it off despite left guard Teven Jenkins leaving with a rib injury in the second quarter. The Bears moved Pryor from right guard to left and inserted Nate Davis at right, which Pryor said was a fairly easy adjustment after he was warmed up on that side.
“I think we’ve always been able to run the ball,” Pryor said. “It was just the aspect of everybody being on the same page with calls, and with coaching allowing us to go out there and execute. I don’t think we’re surprised how we ran the ball. It’s just the fact of us going out there, executing the plays and trying to get the ball rolling.”
Swift, whom Pryor said operated with a level head during his early struggles, capitalized on the continued opportunities when the Bears needed him.
“I know who I am. I know what I can bring to this team,” Swift said. “When we’re not having success, I take it upon myself to go ahead and find different ways to be better.”
