Chicago Bears: 5 Bold predictions for Week 17 vs. Packers
2. Montgomery has another big game
Running back David Montgomery is enjoying a surge in play the last few weeks. With the new-look offensive line, he’s been running like a mad man.
In his first nine games of the season, Montgomery had 131 carries (14.5 carries per game) for 472 yards and a touchdown. He added 30 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown.
In his last five games, though, he’s been elite. He has 94 carries (18.8 carries per game( for 529 yards and an amazing six touchdowns. He also added 15 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Montgomery’s seven touchdowns in the last five games have helped the offense raise their point totals. His success takes some pressure off of Trubisky. He doesn’t have to drop back as many times and that is a good thing.
Montgomery has run for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. That is amazing considering he’s had games in which he ran for 27, 29 and 30 yards. He has 1,376 yards from scrimmage, making him an asset both on the ground and through the air. Add in his ability to break tackles and make big plays and he’s the player the Bears hoped he’d be when they drafted him last year.
Montgomery gives the offensive line all the credit for his success, per the Chicago Sun-Times:
"The guys up front are doing a hell of a job. They’ve been doing a hell of a job for a long time now, and I appreciate those guys. Me being able to get in a rhythm is not up to me. It’s up to those guys up front, and they always do that for me."
The Packers defense gives up a high average per runs this season. It gives up 4.6 yards per run, ranking 24th in the league. Montgomery has to take advantage of that. If he can get big chunks of yards he’ll make Trubisky feel more at ease and give the offense a number of chances to score. Additionally, with his running the ball, it keeps Rodgers on the bench. The more Rodgers watches the game the better it is for the Bears’ chances at victory.
If the Bears hold a lead in the fourth quarter, the coaches need to feed him the ball. The way Montgomery is running he could close out the game.
Prediction: 23 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown.