Three out of five starting offensive linemen were out. Two out of three starting wide receivers were out.
We're starting (his very first start) the rookie Evans at right tackle, going against arguably one of the best defensive players in the league in Mack. We're starting Corbett, who did nothing at Cleveland, at left guard for his first start with the Rams. Edwards gets moved to right guard and Blythe is moved to center.
We're starting Josh Reynolds and Mike Thomas in place of Cooks and Woods. Reynolds is capable but Thomas is unproven.
We're starting two tight ends who came into the game with a questionable status, i.e. both hurting.
You want to throw the ball all over the yard under these conditions? Our offense was a MASH unit.
McVay devised that game plan out of necessity. It worked. We won the game. That doesn't mean anybody is "accepting" one first down in five drives. It's what happened due to the Bears going to that six man front in the second half. But, the fact that the Rams kept running the ball into that front kept the Bears defense honest, allowing the passing game to execute on that last scoring drive.
I thought the game plan was what was needed under these circumstances and I'm glad McVay went with it. That doesn't mean that this is what we'll see from here on out. Hopefully McVay is learning to adjust his game plan to his teams condition and the specific opponent that week, which is something that we really haven't seen up until now. If this is the case, then we've got one hell of a head coach on our hands.
"He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions."
- Confucius
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”
- Patrick Rothfuss
"With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone."
- Oscar Wilde
