Brad Biggs at the Chicago Tribune answers your questions:
I love Ben Johnson’s aggression but is it going too far? The Bears are passing up points and against stronger opponents that field goal may decide a close game. Is he trusting his offense that much or does his fourth-down approach signal a growing lack of confidence in his defense or special teams units? — @doback4prez
I think all of the analytics would tell you that was a clear green light for the offense when the Bears, leading 7-0 early in the second quarter, went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line.
That close to the goal line with a chance to go ahead by two touchdowns early in the game, I think you’re going for it most of the time. The only scenario a kick would make more sense in that situation — if we’re removing factors such as weather — is if it’s a chance to go up two scores late in the game.
I doubt Johnson will question his process there. Certainly he’d wish for better execution. Perhaps, in retrospect, he might go with a different play call in the series. But that’s who he is. He’s going to be aggressive and I wasn’t surprised by his go mentality there.
Just a short comment here.
I think fans often forget that if you don’t get the 3 yards there, you are leaving the opponent deep in their own territory, 97 yard down the field. This is a big part of the analytics.
Any time you go for it on fourth down, it isn’t just that you are showing confidence in you offense. It’s confidence in your defense, as well.
Johnson is going to go for it in those situations. It’s what he does. If you don’t like it, the only thing I can say is that you have to accept the good with the bad and deal with it.