Chicago Bears: 5 X-factors for getting a win in Week 7 vs. Rams
5. Mooney will see more targets and he has to make big plays
So far this season, the distribution of passes has gone much like it did last season. It’s basically Allen Robinson all the time and the other receivers occasionally get a pass thrown their way. So far, Robinson has 66 targets. The next closest isn’t even a receiver — that would be tight end, Jimmy Graham, with 36.
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The next receiver is Darnell Mooney with 30. Chicago Bears quarterbacks targeted Robinson 27.2 percent of the time in 2019. That number is 28.3 percent in 2020.
In this game, Robinson will see former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. He’ll try to keep Robinson’s catches to the minimum. The Rams will dare the Bears to come up with another receiver to beat them. That receiver could be Mooney.
Mooney’s stock keeps rising as the season progresses. Foles has looked his way more than he has Anthony Miller. Miller has gradually lost targets and snaps. He’s been too inconsistent for Foles and head coach Matt Nagy to continually trust.
With Ramsey all over Robinson, Mooney needs to be ready. Foles will again look Mooney’s way. In the past three games, he targeted the young receiver 19 times. Look for more in this game. They’ve just been off on connecting more but the rapport is getting there.
If Mooney can make some catches and make the Rams pay for going after Robinson then he’ll have a breakout game and the Bears offense could then take off with a consistent second option.