Midseason review: Jordan Howard’s emergence promising for Bears offense

The Bears received a significant morale boost with Monday’s 20-10 upset of the Vikings, a victory that sent the team into its open date with a much needed injection of positive energy.

The front office and coaching staff will spend chunks of this week assessing the team’s progress and deficiencies. In the meantime, we’re offering our midseason review, starting with an appraisal of the offense.

Most Valuable Player

Maybe we’re suffering a bit of recency bias here and overinflating the value of Jordan Howard’s NFC Offensive Player of the Week performance from Monday night. But it’s hard not to be impressed with the way the rookie running back has come in and seized his opportunity. In five games since jumping into a starting role, Howard has surpassed 100 rushing yards three times. And his bruising, relentless 153-yard outing this week came against the league’s top defense as the Bears trampled the Vikings 20-10.

For the season, Howard is averaging a commendable 5.1 yards per carry. He has three runs of at least 35 yards and has found the end zone three times. If anyone needed a reminder of the value of a dependable running game, Howard’s performance Monday provided it.

Running backs coach Stan Drayton has been impressed but not surprised.

“He showed this type of production coming out of college,” Drayton said. “He doesn’t flinch on the big stage.”

Howard has quickly progressed in his understanding of defenses and is showing greater anticipation skills when he runs. And coach John Fox has lauded the rookie’s rugged running style and ability to finish through contact.

The Bears would still like Howard to become more decisive in his responsibilities as a pass catcher out of the backfield and are emphasizing that he enhance his patience as a runner.

But for a fifth-round pick only eight games into his career, the early returns have been promising.

Biggest surprise

Injuries have ravaged the Bears all season. Offensively, six prominent starters have combined to miss 15 games. But receiver Alshon Jeffery is not on that list. A year after missing seven games with a series of leg muscle injuries, Jeffery has stayed healthy and kept himself on the field.

As much as anything, that has been a huge plus in the receiver’s evolution.

Said receivers coach Curtis Johnson: “It shows he’s dependable. We can count on him now. Week in and week out he’s there.”

General manager Ryan Pace said at the outset of training camp that a big chunk of his Jeffery evaluation this season would center around the receiver’s ability to stay healthy. And in that department, Jeffery has passed the test.

Johnson, in his first year with the Bears, has been pleased with Jeffery’s investments. Coming into the year, the receivers coach expected to get “more flak” from his top gun, worried that Jeffery might have diva tendencies that are stereotypical of star receivers. Jeffery has shown none of that.

Johnson also expressed satisfaction in Jeffery’s crisp route running, competitive fire and push to get better.

Statistically, Jeffery ranks 10th in the NFL in receiving yards (583) and 28th in catches (36). But he also has learned that his mere presence changes the entire offense, creating strain on opposing defenses and opening up opportunities for the rest of the offense.

Biggest disappointment

Jay Cutler’s five-game absence because of a sprained right thumb interrupted the offensive evolution. And while the Bears averaged 379.6 yards per game in the games Cutler missed, that yielded only 16.6 points per game and one victory.

During Cutler’s nine seasons in Chicago, the Bears are 6-22 in games he hasn’t played or has left because of injury, including postseason.

And with close losses last month to the Colts (29-23) and Jaguars (17-16) in games in which the offense failed to complete a game-winning drive at the end, it’s fair to acknowledge the what-might’ve-been vibe.

Imagine how different this season might feel with a 4-4 record at the open date versus the current 2-6 plight.

Most compelling storyline ahead

Kevin White seemed to be turning a corner in early October. In games against the Cowboys and Lions, White began to play more freely and his production was increasing.

Then, for the second straight season, the receiver’s development was derailed by a serious injury. White is on injured reserve, rehabilitating from October surgery to repair a spiral fracture in his left fibula. There’s still a strong chance his 2016 season is over and that he’ll enter his third NFL season with more games missed (20 and counting) than receptions (19). But NFL rules will allow the Bears to work White back into game action as early as Week 13. And the Bears won’t close the door on that potential comeback until absolutely necessary.

Johnson was asked this week for his educated guess on whether we’ll see a White return in 2016.

“I think we will,” he said. “I definitely think we will. Just because I know how that kid is and how determined he is.”

That’s merely a hunch. But take that for what it’s worth in an intriguing plotline.

dwiederer@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @danwiederer

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