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The next step is to have some of his big performances translate
into victories.
The Bears have lost five of their last six games heading into
their NFC North matchup with visiting Detroit on Sunday.
Fields was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after he
rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and passed
for three more scores in Week 9. It still didn't translate in
the win column, however, as Miami pulled out a 35-32 victory.
Fields has rushed for 408 yards on 49 carries over the past four
games and scored a rushing touchdown in each of the last three
games.
"The main thing is just not forcing big plays, just letting them
come to me," he said. "Of course, I've always thought I've been
able to make the big play. One thing you can't do is force big
plays."
Head coach Matt Eberflus and his staff are trying to maximize
Fields' running ability while emphasizing sliding and getting
out of bounds to protect himself.
"Our guy is certainly very talented and is able to do a lot of
those things," Eberflus said of Fields being a dual threat.
"He's doing it in a smart way."
The Bears (3-6) need to tighten up their defense to make Fields'
production more meaningful. They have allowed 84 points over the
last two games.
Chicago didn't have a sack or force a turnover against Miami.
"We've got to have creative ways to create pressure," Eberflus
said. "Winning on third down a lot of times is creating pressure
to get the quarterback uncomfortable."
Both teams were sellers at the trade deadline. Chicago dealt its
top defender, linebacker Roquan Smith, to Baltimore while
Detroit sent pass-catching tight end T.J. Hockenson to division
rival Minnesota.
The Lions (2-6) snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating
Green Bay 15-9 on Sunday. They can get out of the division
cellar with a win Sunday.
"I do feel like we're going in the right direction," coach Dan
Campbell said. "I know the wins are not there, though we just
got one. I like the improvement. I would like to be in a better
place than we are, certainly. I feel like we should have at
least two more wins here and that's on me."
Containing Fields will be the top priority for Detroit's
defense.
"His ability on third down, that's where they really got Miami,"
Campbell said. "A number of third-and-8, third-and-10 -- there's
an opening in there, he takes it and he's gone. That's where
he's very lethal."
The Lions were stout in the red zone against the Packers, as
Green Bay went 0-for-4 in that category. Detroit picked off
Aaron Rodgers three times -- twice in the end zone -- after
making just two interceptions in its previous seven games.
Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 137 yards, including two
touchdowns, after a 321-yard performance the previous week
against the Dolphins.
D'Andre Swift, the team's most explosive player, has seen
limited touches after missing three games due to shoulder and
ankle injuries. He caught a 20-yard pass against Green Bay but
only had two carries. Jamaal Williams had a season-high 24
carries for 81 yards.
Swift got in a limited practice on Wednesday as did defensive
back Kerby Joseph, who was in concussion protocol after making
two interceptions on Sunday. Center Frank Ragnow (foot) was also
limited.
Bears defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee) and starting CB
Kindle Vildor (ankle) sat out Wednesday's practice.
--Field Level Media
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