From first play, Bears RB David Montgomery sets tone in win over Houston

CHICAGO – The Bears didn’t wait long for Sunday’s offensive outburst. The offensive line created a huge hole on their first play of the day, and running back David Montgomery didn’t miss his chance.

Montgomery ran 80 yards for a touchdown. Just like that, the Bears took an early lead. They continued to tear up Houston’s defense Sunday afternoon in a 36-7 win at Soldier Field.

“Really, it had nothing to do with me, to be honest with you,” Montgomery said after the game. “[Anyone] probably could run through that hole and run the 80 yards. Just being able to have that line move and push the way they did and create that amazing hole, it’s crazy. I just seen it and I hit it.”

The 80-yard run tied for the Bears’ longest run in the Super Bowl era. Running back Neal Anderson also ran for an 80-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 27, 1988.

“To start a game with an explosive play for a touchdown like that, I think it sends a message to the whole team and to everyone about the mindset we came out and played with today,” Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky said.

Montgomery had his second 100-yard performance in the past three games. Since returning from a concussion on Nov. 29 against Green Bay, Montgomery has played three solid games.

He ran for 103 yards against the Packers, then had 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns last week against the Detroit Lions. He finished Sunday's win with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. He also caught three passes for 42 yards.

For the first time all year, the Bears have had consistency on the offensive line. Charles Leno, Cody Whitehair, Sam Mustipher, Alex Bars and Germain Ifedi have started each of the past three games on the line.

Mustipher has been starting at center for three straight games now. He only made it into the starting lineup midway through the season because of injuries. Montgomery credited the offensive line for the hole on the 80-yard run, and also receiver Allen Robinson, who helped clear the way for Montgomery down field.

“Those guys come to practice and they are so locked in, and so smooth,” Montgomery said of the linemen. “Sam coming in and leading the charge is big. He came in [the NFL] the same year I came in. You’d think he been in the league 10, 11, 12 years the way he comes at you and takes charge. He’s the general on the line and they buy in.”

This three-game stretch might be the best of Montgomery’s young career. The second-year pro had 100 rushing yards only twice all of his rookie season in 2019.