Chicago Bears’ Rushing Attack Surges in Week 6: A Turning Point?

UPDATE: The Chicago Bears’ running game has ignited in a pivotal Week 6 victory against the Washington Commanders, raising questions about whether this marks a breakthrough or a fleeting moment. With just seconds remaining on October 13, 2025, Bears kicker Jake Moody sealed the win with a 38-yard field goal, capping off a stellar performance that saw the team rush for a season-high 145 yards.

In a decisive late-game moment, Coach Ben Johnson leaned heavily on running back D’Andre Swift, who logged an impressive 108 yards on just 14 carries. Swift’s confidence shone through as he expressed, “Putting it away, just putting it away — that was my mindset.” This surge comes after the Bears had failed to reach 100 rushing yards in their previous two outings, with Swift himself not exceeding 63 yards in any game this season.

Why does this matter NOW? The Bears have the opportunity to establish a formidable identity as they face teams with struggling defenses over the next month. Upcoming matchups against the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings could further solidify their newfound rushing prowess, especially given that most of these teams rank in the bottom third against the run.

Johnson’s emphasis on fundamentals proved crucial as the offensive line finally jelled. Center Drew Dalman noted, “We need to be 10% better at everything in the run game,” highlighting a collective effort to focus on basics. Left tackle Theo Benedet, who stepped into a starting role, has shown promise with a remarkable run-blocking win rate of 85%, according to ESPN Analytics.

In addition to a reshaped offensive line, Swift’s performance marks a significant uptick in running back efficiency. His 2.76 efficiency metric from NFL Next Gen Stats indicates a noticeable improvement, suggesting that the Bears are starting to click in their ground game. “When it’s clicking like that, it’s good,” Swift commented on the collective efforts of the offensive line and perimeter blockers.

Moving forward, the Bears must sustain this momentum to alleviate pressure off rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The team’s success on the ground will be crucial as they navigate a challenging schedule. Johnson stated, “I take it personally… being sound and taking pride in our execution of the fundamentals.”

As the Bears prepare for their next opponent, the urgency to maintain this momentum is palpable. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if this performance is a sign of things to come or merely a one-time fluke. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this offensive resurgence is here to stay.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow the Bears’ journey and their potential to turn this momentum into a season-defining moment.