Jets could get run game back on track if they attack this flaw in Bears' run defense

The New York Jets have the Chicago Bears next on their schedule. It's an important game for the 1-2 Jets, and several areas need improvement. The offensive line is one, but getting the run game going is another.

Even though the Jets got good news on Breece Hall and he'll be week-to-week with a quad injury, he'll likely be out for Week 4.

With Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis expected to lead the charge in the backfield, New York could find success on the ground if they attack the Bears on outside zone runs.

New York Jets could revive struggling run game by attacking Bears' weakness

After running for 152 yards against the Titans in Week 1, New York's ground game hit a wall. In Week 2, New York had 67 rushing yards, then followed that up with 58 rushing yards against the Lions. For an offense that wants to lean on this part of their offense, they must get it back on track.

The coaches and players are deep into film on the Bears, and going into this affair, the offensive staff should look to attack that defense on outside runs. In Week 3 against the Bears, Saquon Barkley had plenty of positive carries on runs outside the tackles.

In the first half, Barkley had 11 carries for 73 yards (6.6 yards per carry). For some reason, they went away from it in the second half, and he had just four carries for nine yards in the second half. Despite that, Barkley had five carries of five-plus yards on outside runs, per NextGenStats. Four of those runs went to the left side.

Meanwhile, in Week 1, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard also found some green grass running that side. He had 10 rushes for 49 yards, but he had three carries to the left side on outside zone runs that went for at least five yards, per NGS.

During Week 2, Vikings running back Aaron Jones was also able to move the ball. He finished with 23 carries for 105 yards. Minnesota mostly had inside runs, but the theme was the same and that was positive yardage running to the left, as highlighted once again by NGS.

New York being down Hall isn't ideal, yet that shouldn't stop them from picking up yards on the ground. Finding ways to create some holes for Allen and Davis will be a priority, and it appears they will have positive runs if they add some more outside zones to their game plan.

Through three games, it looks like Frank Reich prefers to run inside the tackles, but he might have to switch things up a little bit. It's a must that the Jets find a way to get more from the ground game, and runs to the outside could yield some positive results against the Bears.

The Jets' interior offensive line has struggled the last two weeks. New York may also have to start Jordan Meredith at left guard, as Dylan Parham is dealing with a knee injury. Instead of running behind Meredith and Josh Myers a ton, New York should place an emphasis on running behind their tackles, Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, while getting tight ends out in space to block.

New York getting that part of their offense back would be huge, and Chicago's weaknesses in that department should be an area they attack.

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