Week 15: Inside the Bears numbers by STATS

Courtesy of Bears writer Adam Jahns and the folks at STATS:

It’s all about play-action passes

The Bears have promised to keep things the same offensively with Jay Cutler replacing Josh McCown at quarterback. And that will include using a good dose of play-action passes, allowing receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and others to gain more separation.

According to STATS, the Bears are completing 60 percent of their play-action passes. And while they’re not the most productive play-action team — it helps that Marshall and Jeffery can beat coverage without much assistance — they do have a solid 95.7 passer rating during those plays.

(Statistics do no reflect Thursday’s game between the Broncos and Chargers.)

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And on defense …

Even better is the Bears’ maligned defense has had success defending play-action plays, which may come as a surprise considering that they have the 32nd-ranked run defense.

The Bears have intercepted five passes and held opposing quarterbacks to an 82.3 passer rating on play-action plays this season, according to STATS.

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