Youth Leads the Way for the Bears in Week 16 Victory over Buccaneers
Published by Matt Eurich on December 27, 2015
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears captured their sixth victory of the season in Week 16 by defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21, and Chicago’s youth led the way on Sunday afternoon.
Chicago’s victory on Sunday was the team’s first win in over a month, according to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune:
The Bears gained just 327 yards of total offense on the afternoon after gaining 199 yards in the first half, but the defense held Tampa Bay to just 389 yards of total offense. One reason why Chicago had so much success in Week 16 was because of the play of some of its young players.
Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey Produced on the Ground and Through the Air
After being selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft, rookie running back Jeremy Langford was used sparingly at the beginning of the season before an injury to starter Matt Forte opened the door for Langford to get more playing time.
The former Michigan State standout saw extended playing time against the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams and Denver Broncos earlier this season, but he and Forte have been splitting time since the veteran back returned to the lineup in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers.
On Sunday afternoon, Langford led the team in carries with 19 and picked up 83 yards on the ground. He was targeted twice in the passing game but finished the contest without a catch. Forte ran the ball 11 times for 54 yards and finished the game with three catches on four targets for 23 yards.
After using Forte as the primary running back early in the season, Forte and Langford have nearly identical numbers on the ground since Week 12.
Forte is in the final year of his deal in Chicago, and Langford’s similar production in recent weeks could force the Bears to move on without the veteran running back in 2016.
In addition to Langford’s strong game on the ground, second-year man Ka’Deem Carey came away with two touchdowns against the Buccaneers.
Early in the second quarter with the Bears down on Tampa Bay’s 1-yard line, Chicago lined up with both Carey and Langford in the backfield. Langford lined up as the tailback, while Carey set up in the backfield as the fullback.
Quarterback Jay Cutler handed it off to Carey, and he scored his second touchdown of the season behind a strong push from the offensive line, per Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune:
Early in the fourth quarter with the Bears trailing 14-13, Chicago lined up again at Tampa Bay’s 1-yard line with Langford at tailback and Carey at fullback. Instead of trying to pound the ball between the tackles, Carey ran out of the flat, and Cutler found him in the end zone for the touchdown.
ESPN.com’s Matt Bowen broke down the play on Twitter:
Carey finished the game with just one catch, but he also carried the ball seven times for 16 yards. The majority of the former Arizona Wildcat’s carries came in the second half, and the Bears have been more than willing to give him the football late in games in recent weeks.
In a perfect world, the Bears will be able to bring back Forte next season on a team-friendly deal, but if he does not return in 2016, Langford and Carey have proven they can handle the load at running back moving forward.
Unheralded Defenders Made Big Plays
On Sunday afternoon, the Bears started rookies Adrian Amos and Harold Jones-Quartey at free safety and strong safety, respectively, while rookie John Timu got his second start at inside linebacker.
Amos has started all 15 games at free safety this season and has been one of the team’s best against the run this year. He struggled a few times against the pass on Sunday, but he finished the game with five tackles and one pass defended.
Jones-Quartey started two games earlier this year for injured strong safety Antrel Rolle, but he was later replaced by veteran Chris Prosinski.
Prosinski flashed at times, but the Bears opted to get another look at the young safety from Findlay in Week 16. Jones-Quartey finished the game with four tackles, two passes defended, one forced fumble and one interception.
In the middle of the second quarter, Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston found running back Doug Martin to his left for a six-yard completion, but Jones-Quartey closed in quickly on the Pro Bowl running back and dislodged the football for his first career forced fumble.
Early in the second half, Tampa Bay moved the ball well down the field before the young safety intercepted Winston’s pass intended for running back Charles Sims at the goal line. Jones-Quartey then picked up 23 yards on the return.
Wiederer was impressed by the young safety’s performance:
In addition to the solid play from Chicago’s rookie safeties on Sunday, a pair of inside linebackers also played well against the Buccaneers.
Timu got the start at inside linebacker and finished the game with six total tackles, and he recovered two fumbles. The undrafted rookie out of Washington showed off his impressive sideline-to-sideline quickness throughout the afternoon, and he came up big at times against the run.
Fellow undrafted rookie Jonathan Anderson replaced starting inside linebacker Christian Jones in the team’s nickel package on Sunday, and he recorded two tackles and forced one fumble.
Even though the Bears had little to play for against Tampa Bay in Week 16 since they were eliminated from playoff contention, a handful of the team’s young players made statements on Sunday afternoon.
Langford, Carey and Amos appear to be locks to make the roster next season, while Jones-Quartey, Timu and Anderson all proved on Sunday they have the ability to make plays at the NFL level.
The season as a whole may end up being a disappointing one for the Bears, but the down year has given Chicago’s front office and coaching staff an opportunity to see who can potentially make an impact for the team in 2016 and beyond.
Statistical information courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.
Matt Eurich is a Chicago Bears featured columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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