Bears rookie RB Howard shows good vision on field

Of rookie Jordan Howard's 111 rushing yards last week, 68 came after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.

"Definitely a season-high," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "I was really impressed with the way he ran the football. His vision was good."

Howard showed patience in waiting for blocks to develop.

"He's learning how to work at this level. He's learning how to practice, but he's still a really quiet guy. We're all trying to get a feel for him, but I know he's a good kid."

Despite his yards after contact, the 6-foot, 222-pound Howard said he really didn't take any vicious hits.

"I feel pretty good, I'm not too beat up from the game," he said. "I'm just conditioned to stuff like that, and being in the weight room helps fight those injuries off."

Howard carried 23 times and caught 3 passes for 21 yards.

"I don't think anyone got a clean hit on him," Loggains said, "which is unusual for a big back. He's able to run through arm tackles because he's big and strong. He has good feet. The vision definitely helps because he sees the holes and he makes good cuts."

Getting a grip:

In two of their past three games the Bears have held their opponent to 280 yards or less, improving to a more-than-respectable No. 10 in the league in total yards allowed.

The Bears are also No. 8 in passing yards allowed, a possible indication that players are getting a stronger grasp of coordinator Vic Fangio's defense.

"We've had three decent performances," Fangio said, including the season opener against the Texans when they allowed 346 yards, "and one not-good performance. They're coming along. The revolving door at a lot of positions can set you back a lot, but guys have come in and done their jobs, and we've played well as a unit."

Because of injuries, sixteen players have started at least one game on defense.

Gaining from experience:

Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains was the Cleveland Browns' quarterbacks coach in 2014, when Brian Hoyer got the most extensive playing time of his eight-year career.

Hoyer started 13 games, leading the Browns to a 7-6 record. He posted a 76.5 passer rating, throwing 12 TD passes and 13 interceptions.

"He's not a different player," Loggains said. "(But) I think he's a little more confident because he's played more and taken a team to the playoffs (the Texans, last year). I see his personality coming out a little more."

In his first three games with the Bears, Hoyer has a 103.3 passer rating.

Outside the box:

Since 2007, 15 NFL games have been played in London as part of the league's International Series, and teams have always had an open date the following weekend to help recover from the trip.

But this year, the Colts declined the bye after their Week Four trip London - a 30-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars - opting to use it later in the season, in Week 10.

The decision led to a lot of second-guessing, and it was a popular opinion that the Bears caught a break by getting a potentially jet-lagged opponent this week. But Colts coach Chuck Pagano said much thought and planning went into the decision.

"We did the right thing (scheduling-wise) going. We did the right thing coming back," Pagano said. "And we'll do the right thing over the course of the next three or four days to make sure that our team is as prepared as possible mentally and physically.

"They're healed. They're fresh. And they have their legs underneath them to play as well as we can play on Sunday."

The Colts have seven players on this week's injury report; the Bears have 17 - not counting wide receiver Kevin White, who went on injured reserve earlier in the week.

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