The Chicago Bears are coming off a highly unexpected and overwhelming offensive performance in their Week 3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, particularly because Case Keenum was the starting quarterback. Keenum turned back the clock on Monday Night Football with 247 passing yards, three total touchdowns, including a rushing touchdown that made him the oldest player in Bears history to score one.
Now, Chicago will welcome the New York Jets to Soldier Field, the final game in a three-game home stand, looking to improve their season to 3-1. It’s a coaching showdown that will reunite Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, who used to coach together in Detroit. Glenn’s defense has played better this season than last year, when they went all season without an interception, but have forced one takeaway in two of their first three games.
The Bears offense has plenty of momentum after Week 3, and here are the top offensive keys going into Week 4 against the Jets:
Get running game going early
Many expected Chicago’s running game to be their focus point last week with Case Keenum under center, but the 38-year old took control of the offense, while the running game was a bit behind. The Bears did end the game with 128 total rushing yards, but that leaves plenty of room for improvement this week against a Jets team that hasn’t really been tested on the ground. Tennessee and Green Bay struggled against New York, but they don’t have the rushing attack that Chicago has.
Stay clean in the first half
The first two games saw the Bears commit several penalties in the first half, but the operation was a bit cleaner against the Eagles, as they committed just five penalties the entire game. It was a bit surprising to see just how smooth things were with Case Keenum running the offense, but no matter who is under center, the offensive penalties need to be kept to a minimum.
Let Ben Johnson cook
As he was receiving all the praise for the offensive performance in Week 3, Case Keenum gave that praise over to his head coach Ben Johnson, who he said was “cooking” in the game plan. Johnson has always been credited and respected for his offensive genius, but him getting the success he did with Keenum at quarterback showed that if he’s truly on his game, the Bears can get rolling no matter what.
Keep QB plans under wraps
Following Keenum’s epic performance, the immediate topic of conversation became who would be the starting quarterback in Week 4, the veteran or Tyson Bagent. Coming out of camp as the No. 2 quarterback, Bagent should be a guy who the team is comfortable handing the ball over to no matter what, but Keenum’s play gives them and their opponents something to consider. Ben Johnson and his coaching staff should take this decision down to the wire, to keep the Jets on their toes.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 4 keys for Bears offense against Jets in Week 4 matchup