The Chicago Bears seldom threw well beyond the line of scrimmage in Monday’s win over the Vikings. According to DJ Moore, that was exactly how they drew it up.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields went 27-of-37 in the air for 217 yards in the 12-10 victory, with 21 of those attempts at or behind the line of scrimmage. Fields attempted just two passes greater than 20 yards, with one of them resulting in a completion.
In the end, the plan worked fine enough. Fields was sacked just three times despite Minnesota constantly bringing pressure, and was able to add 59 yards on the ground.
Moore said Tuesday on Mully & Haugh that getting the ball out quickly was part of the game plan.
“They were bringing a lot of pressure, so we had to get the ball out,” Moore said. “That was part of the game plan. We knew they were going to fall off and bail out of there, so there really wasn’t a chance for a deep shot."
Even when Moore was targeted rarely at times earlier in the season, he made clear he’s not the type of player who will go to the coaching staff to demand more involvement. However, he did indicate Tuesday that he’ll offer his input when asked.
“They will ask do I like this or that and I give my input,” Moore said. “But for the most part whenever the game plan is in we just go through it, they ask if I have any questions or anything like that, any changes. Then we go from there. If they ask me a specific route I want to run I give them one, but other than that I’m not going too much into changing the game plan.
Despite the scheme, Moore eclipsed the 100-yard mark, reeling in 11 passes for 114 yards – 72 of which came after the catch.