LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields isn't used to this.
Before joining the Bears as the No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft last spring, Fields was dominant at Ohio State. He led the Buckeyes to a 20-2 record over two years with the program, accounting for 78 touchdowns and leading a dynamic offense.
Now, Fields has already lost more in six games with the Bears than he did in two years with the Buckeyes. He's also trying to turn around an offense that ranks last in the NFL in total yardage and third-to-last in scoring. And nothing is coming easy.
"It's a different ballgame now," Fields said Wednesday. "We're not in the Big Ten where Ohio State is most likely more talented than most of the teams we play. It's the NFL now.
"You just have to bounce back. You get knocked down, you just got to keep coming back. As long as we do that, we'll be good. We'll continue to grow."
The Bears have made some progress offensively with Fields under center. Most notably, they've established a strong running game and found more continuity with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor calling plays instead of coach Matt Nagy.
But the Bears aren't converting sustained drives into touchdowns. Through six games, their offense has averaged 6.2 plays per drive, a mark that ranks 13th in the NFL. The trouble is the Bears have managed just 25.7 yards per drive, which is last in the league. Their average of 16.3 points per game simply isn't good enough to win consistently.
The Bears have rushed the ball effectively but recognize their shortcomings in the passing game – and in particular with their lack of explosive plays. Chicago has produced just four passing plays of 25 yards or more, a mark that's also dead last in the NFL.
Finding a breakthrough in the passing game is a point of emphasis this week as the Bears (3-3) prepare to play the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers (5-1) and their NFL-best run defense Sunday. The Bears know they're going to need to convert drives into points consistently if they want to keep pace with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady and Tampa Bay's high-octane offense.
The Bears believe they're close.
"There's definitely a different feel," receiver Darnell Mooney said. "You can feel we have the pieces. We have the things we can do to go out there, score points and be consistent."
Since Chicago's ugly 26-6 loss in Cleveland on Sept. 26, Nagy and his staff have worked to simplify their offense for the rookie Fields, who has worked within the game plan, carefully processing each progression while gaining a better understanding for how to beat coverages.
But operating within the play design is only part of the equation for Fields, whose dual-threat abilities can create opportunities outside of the pocket. Understanding Fields' tendencies in those situations is something the Bears' wide receivers and tight ends are still adjusting to with another new quarterback under center.
On a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of the Bears' loss to the Packers on Sunday, Fields scrambled out of a designed bootleg to his left and spotted receiver Allen Robinson all alone down the middle of the field. Under pressure, Fields missed the brief opportunity to heave a deep ball that could've gone for a sure 65-yard touchdown, instead rushing for seven yards and the first down.
It was a positive play for the Bears but also an example of missing a chance to hit the big play. They came up short again against the rival Packers, as 14 points are rarely good enough to beat reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers and his championship contenders from Green Bay.
The Bears are seeking ways to work off script with Fields – whether it's by altering a route concept to find separation from a defender or moving with him as he scrambles from the pocket.
"You can get a lot of big plays like that," Robinson said. "You saw that across the league, just in general from a lot of different teams. Being able to get some explosive plays from when the pocket breaks down."
Since posting just 47 net yards of offense in their loss to the Browns, the Bears have bounced back with an offense built around heavy protection schemes and running the football. They have rushed for 188, 143 and 140 yards, respectively, in the three games since, relying on three different running backs to produce those numbers.
The Bears have taken a key step toward establishing their offensive identity and have sustained drives as a result. But they're looking to finish those in the end zone – and Fields hopes that translates to winning.
"I honestly think we are growing every day," Fields said. "The part that sucks is not being able to win games.
"Eventually, our growth will pay off at the end."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
