Analytics: Bears backfield led otherwise uninspiring offense in Week 1

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The Chicago Bears offense managed just three points in Week 1's loss to the Green Bay Packers, one in which the defense did its part holding Aaron Rodgers to one touchdown and a field goal.

The loss leaves a bitter taste considering it's the first time the Packers have won at Soldier Field with so few points in nearly a century. Anything resembling a pulse on offense would've resulted in the Bears enjoying a long weekend with their first win.

Instead, NFL analysts and Bears fans are hitting the panic button over concerns about Mitch Trubisky's overall ability and Matt Nagy's playcalling. The concerns have some merit, but it's still way too early in the season to jump off the bandwagon that began the year with Super Bowl aspirations.

Fortunately, there were at least a few positive signs on offense that Nagy can focus on and build around entering Week 2. Most notable was the performance of his running backs, all three of whom scored in the top five of Chicago's offensive players, according to Pro Football Focus.

David Montgomery was third (64.3), Mike Davis fourth (62.5) and Tarik Cohen fifth (62.2). Allen Robinson (69.5) was the only skill player ranked ahead of them.

If you're familiar with PFF's grading scale, you know these grades aren't exceptional. Instead, they're further evidence of just how bad the unit played when marks like this rank in the top five. It's also proof that the only chance Chicago would've had at winning the game would've come from their backfield, which ended the game with only 11 carries (total). 

Nagy admitted after the game that the Bears didn't run the ball enough which suggests a change in philosophy is coming when Chicago travels to Denver.

Bears fans certainly hope so.

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