Jordan Howard: 1st Bears RB to start career with 2 1,000-yard seasons

CINCINNATI — The Bears have employed Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Matt Forte and others, but Jordan Howard on Sunday became the first player in franchise history to run for 1,000 yards or more in each of his first two seasons.

“It means a lot,” Howard said. “Because the running back tradition here is very storied and a lot to live up to.”

RELATED STORIES

MORRISSEY: A real reason for hope after Trubisky shines vs. Bengals

Feel-good moment: Mitch Trubisky was Bears’ best player vs. Bengals

Howard’s 147 rushing yards in the 33-7 win against the Bengals were the third-most of his career. His 6.4 yards per carry were a season high. His 51 yards in the first quarter were more than he had in the previous two games combined.

“We just moved the ball with ease,” said Howard, who has 1,032 rushing yards this season. “We had them off-balance. They didn’t know if we were running or throwing. It felt pretty good.”

Right tackle Bobby Massie said Howard’s success is often cumulative. The more he runs, the better he does late in games.

“Jordan’s a big back,” he said. “Once he starts leaning forward, you’re just going to wear on people. The first run might go for three yards, but the 15th run might go for 40 or 50.”

A replay victory

In a turn of events from his most notorious loss, Bears coach John Fox used a challenge flag to get the ball back for his team. In the fourth quarter, he challenged the call of a completed pass to receiver A.J. Green down the left sideline. He argued — correctly — that safety Eddie Jackson stripped the ball from Green before Green went out of bounds.

“I was fortunate that it happened right in front of me,” Fox said. “I didn’t have to take the time to wait on anybody [in the booth to suggest a replay].”

Fox lost a challenge earlier in the game when quarterback Mitch Trubisky was flagged for throwing the ball past the line of scrimmage. Fox said he threw the challenge flag because the reward of a 21-yard gain outweighed the risk.

“It was worth a shot,” he said.

Fox has won just 7 of 16 challenges in three seasons with the Bears and 49 of 131 in his head-coaching career.

Shaheen lives

One week after being on the field for only nine plays, tight end Adam Shaheen was a focal point of the Bears’ offense, catching four balls on five targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. Playing in front of family and friends, the Ohio native credited Howard for helping him get open.

“When we’re running the ball well, it just opens up opportunities for everything else,” he said.

Shaheen grabbed his shoulder after his one-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter but said it felt fine.

Follow me on Twitter @patrickfinley.

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com