If it wasn’t for a superhero-like performance by Jordan Howard, the Chicago Bears are likely staring at an 0-3 record.
The Chicago Bears finally got into the win column on Sunday, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime, 23-17. It was a great team effort, as the special teams forced a fumble and blocked a field goal, the defense created one takeaway and sacked Ben Roethlisberger three times, and the offense ran for over 220 yards and won the time of possession battle.
There were a lot of great individual performances, but the one that really stood out was running back Jordan Howard. After scuffling in the first two games, Howard put the Bears on his back in Week 3, rushing 23 times for 138 yards, and adding another 26 yards with five receptions. Howard scored twice, including the game winning 19-yard scamper in overtime.
What’s even more impressive with his performance is the fact that he was clearly playing hurt. Howard had to receive medical attention twice on the field, yet quickly returned to action just a few plays later in each case. The second-year running back has been battling a shoulder injury, and it caused him much pain against the Steelers.
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After the game, Howard said that he did not know if he would finish the game or not. But he did, and his gutty performance was truly spectacular to watch. A lot of players in the league would not have returned after reaggravating an injury, let alone reaggravate it twice. But Howard stayed in the game and was the biggest key to his team’s success.
Howard received a lot of scrutiny for his lackluster first two games, but he surely answered the bell on Sunday. His health will have to be monitored, especially considering it’s a quick turnaround for the team as the play the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. But Howard finally looks like the back who ran for the second-most yards in the league last season, and the Bears are counting on him to be the focal point of their offense for the rest of the year.
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Howard’s performance should be celebrated. He showed toughness and passion on Sunday, and has surely earned even more respect from players around the league. If it wasn’t for Howard, the Bears are likely looking at an 0-3 record. It’s this type of effort that every player should try to emulate, and in a few weeks, we could look back at this game and point to it as the turning point of the season.