ST. LOUIS – Six days after making game-changing plays in a win over the Chargers, Bears tight end Zach Miller and running back Jeremy Langford proved Sunday that they're not one-hit wonders.
Miller and Langford accounted for all four Bears touchdowns with two apiece in a 37-13 rout of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. In the process, they produced the team's two longest plays from scrimmage this season as Miller converted a short pass into an 87-yard touchdown and Langford turned a screen into an 83-yard TD.
|
After the Rams took an early 7-0 lead, the Bears answered as Miller caught a quick out from Jay Cutler in the left flat, spun away from linebacker Akeem Ayers and zigzagged to the end zone while being chased by cornerback Trumaine Johnson.
"I made that one guy miss and Alshon [Jeffery] made a great block downfield for me to be able to get out and then it was just trying not to get caught," Miller said. "I peeked up at the Jumbotron and I saw [Johnson] coming, so I had to veer off and give him a little swerve and luckily was able to get away from him."
Cutler was thrilled to see Miller turn a routine 3-yard pass into the Bears' longest play from scrimmage since the quarterback connected with running back Kyle Long for an 89-yard TD in the 2010 season opener against the Lions at Soldier Field.
"That's the surprising part of it. There wasn't anything to it," Cutler said. "It was a quick out; we run it all the time. He busted it back inside, broke a tackle and outran [Johnson], one of their starting corners. The guy had an angle on him and he made a good move and finished it.
"That's what we've been preaching more and more of. It's hard to go, especially against a defense like that, 10 yards a clip, five yards a clip. It's hard to do that against this team. So to be able to rip off some big ones, some one-and-dones, it was nice."
Miller caught his second TD pass of the game, a 2-yarder, in the back of the end zone in the second quarter, after Cutler executed a nifty play-action fake.
"The second one was a great call," Miller said. "We installed it during the week. It's really just a pop pass. Kind of sell run. Chip that defensive end. Hopefully get the linebackers or safeties to come up on the run and get behind the defense."
Miller finished the game with five receptions for a career-high 107 yards and two TDs.
"I've always enjoyed going to Zach," Cutler said. "He's one of those easy guys where you always know where he's going to be and he's a friendly target and he's a smart player. He used to be a quarterback [in college], so he knows tempo things, knows when to gas it a little bit. I've never really second-guessed throwing him the ball."
Miller's performance Sunday came six days after he made a sensational one-handed touchdown catch from Cutler that lifted the Bears to a 22-19 comeback win over the Chargers.
"It's a great feeling," Miller said. "I'm blessed to be in this position and to play here. We've got a great team and a lot of weapons. When other people are covered, they have to throw it to someone. You just have to make the play when it comes your way."
Langford also did that on numerous occasions Sunday, catching seven passes for 109 yards and rushing for 73 yards on 20 carries while subbing for the injured Forte.
Langford's 83-yard TD on a screen pass was a thing of beauty. Catching the Rams in an all-out blitz, Cutler dumped the ball off to Langford, who sped down the left sideline, picked up a great block from center Matt Slauson, cut back across the field and raced untouched into the end zone.
"That was a great call on [offensive coordinator Adam Gase's] part," Langford said. "Cutler did a great job finding me. The offensive line did a great job getting me out and the receivers as well."
Langford, who later scored on a 6-yard touchdown run, generated 182 yards from scrimmage Sunday after producing 142 yards (72 rushing, 70 receiving) Monday night against the Chargers.
"I felt like last week I left a lot of yards on the field," Langford said. "I wanted to come out here and do a little bit better and keeping getting better from game-to-game and get more yards after contact."