No Running Back Breaks 80 Yards

Neither the Chicago Bears nor the Detroit Lions ran the ball particularly well in 2019. Or particularly often. And while both offenses will probably run the ball better as a team– with the Lions adding second-round rookie D’Andre Swift and the Bears getting a more experienced version of David Montgomery, both teams might fail to produce a single running back in Week One that sets themself apart.

For the Lions, the backfield should be a balancing act between Swift and Detroit’s established starter, Kerryon Johnson. Between the two of them splitting snaps in the offense, and both backs playing in an offense that likes to sling the ball with their talented quarterback, neither player looks set to have a particularly dominant day– despite how talented Swift might be.

It’s a similar story for the Bears, assuming that David Montgomery is ready to play in Week 1. Both he and Tarik Cohen will most likely be splitting time in the backfield, keeping either player from looking particularly dominant in their opening week. Especially in an offense like Chicago, that had the sixth worst rushing attack in the NFL.

Even if Montgomery is sitting out, Tarik Cohen has never played particularly well as a runner. Cohen, while talented, is gifted more as a receiver out of the backfield than a traditional running back. In a game that might turn into a shootout, it might be hard for one single running back on either side from putting up great numbers– or even good ones.