What, exactly, did I get myself into? Recap all the explosive plays each week, that won’t be that big of a deal. The Bears are starting a backup quarterback, it’ll probably be a light week.
Wrong.
Eleven explosive plays as the Bears offense was on the field for about three quarters of the game. Insane numbers put up all around, explosives included. Let’s get to it.
Explosive Play 4.1 – Q1 12:06, 3rd and 6 from the Chicago 26. Tyson Bagent passes short middle to Rome Odunze for 21 yards.
Right off the
bat, the Bears come out in shotgun in a 2×2 formation. Rome and Loveland work together on the left. Loveland’s route, for some reason, draws the attention of both Jets defenders, allowing Rome to run right by both into an empty pocket in the secondary. Bagent delivers a quick ball and just like that, the first explosive of the day. This sure seems like a blown coverage but excellent job of finding it quickly and delivering a good ball.
Explosive Play 4.2 – Q1 11:38, 1st and 10 from the Chicago 47. Tyson Bagent passes complete deep middle to Luther Burden for 20 yards.
On the very next play, Bagent goes back under center. Loveland motions right to left where Cole Kmet is attached next to Theo Benedet. Bagent gives a play action fake to Monangai before firing over the middle to Burden for back to back explosive passes. This is a bit more impressive here delivering a ball up and over the second level to Burden before the safety can make a play on it. Excellent opening sequence.
Explosive Play 4.3 – Q1 6:20, 2nd and 8 from the Chicago 45. Tyson Bagent completes pass deep right to Luther Burden for 22 yards.
Back in shotgun here with 12 personnel on the field (Loveland and Kmet). Burden works from the left of the formation, Rome from the right. Burden and Rome run a deep crossing concept with the deep safety moving with Rome. Burden has a step on his defender and Bagent puts a decent ball on him as Luther tries to turn it up to an even bigger play. Great concept, read out well by Bagent, executed all around.
Explosive Play 4.4 – Q1 2:57, 4th and 1 from the Jets 21. D’Andre Swift runs off right end for 13 yards.
Rolling out the 13 personnel here with Roush and Kmet attached on the left side of the line and Loveland motioning left to right, Bagent pitches to Swift on the short side of the field on this fourth down call. The Jets flow to the pitch well – don’t get me wrong, Swift is going to pick this up 10/10 times as blocked – but the cut back here is beautiful to make this an explosive carry. While Ben Johnson would say all play calls are designed to go for an explosive, you need one here and Swift’s agility and vision makes it into a big play.
Drive capper (finally) here by Monangai on 4th and goal. Jets defense was stout on the goal line early, but this was a nice breakthrough.
Explosive Play 4.5 – Q2 8:09, 1st and 10 from the Chicago 29. Kyle Monangai runs off right end for 19 yards.
Bread and butter. The Bears come out in 12 personnel here with Kmet and Loveland attached to the right side of the formation next to Darnell Wright and Jonah Jackson. Burden motions right to left and Monangai takes the handoff and works behind the strength of the Bears offense. Wright and Kmet double the defensive end before Kmet quickly works to the second level. Jonah has no problem with the defensive tackle and Thuney executes a nice reach block on the back side of the play with help of a quick stab from Bradbury before he works to the second level. Monangai heads in the direction between Wright and Loveland’s blocks but as the safety commits to his run fit to the outside, Monangai cuts back up the middle and finds a patch of Bermuda grass. The backside linebacker makes the play well down the field. The Bears are so good at these run concepts and running to that side of the line.
Explosive Play 4.6 – Q2 0:27, 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 47. Tyson Bagent completes pass deep middle to Rome Odunze for 37 yards.
This drive was just about dead. Bears come out with three receivers bunched to the right side with Loveland attached on the left. Raymond draws the attention of two Jets defenders running to the boundary, allowing Rome to work one on one. This is just Rome winning beating the safety with some route running savvy at the top of the route and Bagent with the patience to find him. Excellent pocket from the offensive line allows the patience, which leads to three points at the end of the half.
Explosive Play 4.7 – Q3 9:51, 1st and 10 from the Chicago 4. Tyson Bagent completes pass deep left to Rome Odunze for 20 yards.
This is a really good route by Rome and nice composure from Bagent delivering a good ball while standing in the end zone. The Bears use 12 personnel with Kmet and Loveland attached to the right. They’re at the four yard line. This is obviously a run to the right side to get a little breathing room, right?
Wrong. Play action, trust your blocking, and Bagent delivers in rhythm. Rome does everything incredibly well here, including the one-handed grab to finish. This led a long drive that ended with a second Monangai score. Our friend Jacob Infante with the note on Rome’s route:
Explosive Play 4.8 – Q3 0:21, 1st and 1o from the Chicago 34. Luther Burden runs around left end for 11 yards.
This is a very fun drive if you like the run game. The Bears use 11 personnel with Roush attached to Wright on the right side. Burden is motioned from right to left and gets the ball on a jet sweep while the line and fake to the back commits the blocking to the right. The Jets all bite on the run action except for one Jets defender who has no chance at the speedy Burden. The receivers do a nice job maintaining their blocks on the left side of the field and Burden has a first down before he’s touched.
Explosive Play 4.9 – Q4 15:00, 1st and 10 from the Chicago 45. Kyle Monangai runs over left end for 11 yards.
Next play, the Bears come out to start the 4th quarter in 13 personnel with Loveland and Kmet lined up to the left side of the line with Roush starting on the right and motioning over to the strength of the formation. Bagent hands to Monangai on an outside zone play and the Bears simply have numbers. Hat on a hat gives Monangai a clear runway before first contact five yards down field. Three Jets defenders converge but he bursts through for an additional six yards after contact. He’s truly amazing with a head of steam. Scheme and blocking got him a positive gain of five and the explosive run style of Monangai earns the extra six.
Explosive Play 4.10 – Q4 14:12, 2nd and 10 from the Jets 44. Kyle Monangai runs over right guard for 26 yards.
Two plays later. the Bears use Kmet as a fullback in a traditional I-Formation. Burden motions right to left and Monangai takes the handoff and follows Kmet to the right. Bradbury is getting walked back here by the defensive tackle but he doesn’t disengage in time and Monangai runs right by him. The guards both work to the second level beautifully and take the linebackers out of the play. Monangai finds the opening and bursts through, makes a move on the safety, then viciously stiff arms a Jets defender before dragging two Jets defenders for even more yardage. Incredible impressive run absolutely beating down a tired defense.
Explosive Play 4.11 – Q4 12:52, 2nd and 7 from the Jets 15. Roschon Johnson runs over left guard for 11 yards.
Oh, you want a third explosive run on one drive? Well, here you go. Bears use 13 personnel with Roschon Johnson getting a chance to carry the pill. All three tight ends align to the right side of the formation with Rome the lone receiver on the left. RoJo starts right but finds the cutback near the line of scrimmage with green grass. The cutback earns him nine yards before contact before carrying two Jets defenders for another Chicago Bears first down and the eleventh and final explosive play of the game.
2026 Explosive Play Count: Kyle Monangai 7, D’Andre Swift 6, Rome Odunze 6, Luther Burden 5, Caleb Williams 4, Kalif Raymond 2, and one each for Cole Kmet and Roschon Johnson.
What was your favorite explosive play from this one? For me, it’s the strike to Rome for 37 at the end of the half. Impressive all around.
