Chicago Bears’ new mindset under Ben Johnson was on full display in Week 7 win

The Chicago Bears are beginning to take on head coach Ben Johnson’s image.

While most fans expected that image to be one of high-flying passing touchdowns and points in bunches, the reality is that Johnson wants opponents biting their nails in anticipation of an abusive rushing attack.

It’s what the Bears’ offense delivered against the New Orleans Saints in their Week 7 victory, the fourth in a row for Chicago.

“Felt like that might have been the most physical game that we’ve played so far this year from our perspective,” Johnson said. “I thought our guys came out and they played hard. You could certainly hear it and feel it on the sideline throughout that game. I thought it was evident there in the ground game statistics.”

The stats did, in fact, back up Johnson’s impression.

The Chicago Bears ran the ball 40 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns. They averaged 5.6 yards per carry in what was the most impressive showing for the team’s ground attack this year.

The running game isn’t the only aspect of this Bears team that’s taking on that menacing persona. The defense is, too.

MORE: Caleb Williams offers brutally honest assessment after Week 7 win

“Our DBs, they’re hitting violently,” Johnson said. “You could feel that pressuring a little bit. We had a few more safety and nickel pressures this past week than maybe what we had done previously. You could feel that and just how they were hitting, whether it’s running backs or even the quarterback. That showed up, and then when you have the runners on offense playing with their pads low and running through the hole like they were, I think it just sparks everyone else.”

Those popping pads certainly provided the spark the Bears needed. Caleb Williams had an off day, yet Chicago still dominated on Sunday because of the strides the other aspects of the team have made.

Bears’ opponents better buckle their chin straps in the coming weeks. More physicality is on the way.

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