Chicago Bears’ recent stretch highlights a sharp contrast between rushing dominance and offensive struggles
In their last four games, the Bears have alternated between high-octane rushing performances that powered decisive wins and a game where their ground attack faltered alongside a passing game that failed to produce touchdowns.
Over the past four games, the Chicago Bears posted a 3-1 record, outscoring opponents 112 to 65. Their wins featured robust rushing outputs, while the lone loss was marked by a subdued ground game and limited passing success. This contrast offers a clear pattern in how the Bears have generated offense and secured victories in early 2026.
The Bears’ 59-37 victory over the Carolina Panthers on September 13 stands out for a dominant ground attack. Running back D'Andre Swift carried the ball 18 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Caleb Williams added 65 rushing yards and two rushing scores himself. Williams also threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns, making the offense dynamic and multifaceted in this high-scoring contest.
A week later against the Vikings, the Bears’ rushing production dropped sharply. Swift managed just 45 yards on 16 carries, and Williams passed for 138 yards without finding the end zone, throwing one interception. The offense struggled to put points on the board, settling for only three, which was not enough to overcome the Vikings’ nine points and resulted in the Bears’ only loss in this sample.
The Bears rebounded with two more wins featuring strong rushing performances. On September 28, Kyle Monangai rushed 30 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles, while quarterback Case Keenum contributed a rushing touchdown and two passing scores in a 27-7 victory. Then on October 4 versus the Jets, Monangai again carried the bulk of the load with 146 yards and two touchdowns, though the passing game was less productive, with Tyson Bagent throwing for 268 yards but no touchdowns and one interception. Despite the passing line lacking scoring throws, the Bears still secured an 11-point win largely on the strength of their ground game.
This sequence underscores a clear division in the Bears’ offensive output: when the rushing attack gains traction and produces touchdowns, the team scores in comfortable margins and wins. Conversely, when the running game is limited and passing touchdowns are absent, scoring drops significantly and the Bears struggle to win. The Bears’ identity in these four games revolves around the effectiveness of their ground game as a key driver of their success.
- Game scores and player statistics supplied by BALLDONTLIE.
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