With Bears ‘clicking up front,’ RB D’Andre Swift hits triple digits again

D’Andre Swift has done more to help the Bears’ running game in a six-day span than he did in the first month of the season.

Swift ran 19 times for 124 yards in the Bears’ 26-14 victory Sunday against the Saints after gaining 108 yards on 14 carries on “Monday Night Football.” It was only the third time in Swift’s career that he’d run for more than 100 yards in consecutive games.

Put simply: He ran for more yards in two games than he totaled in the previous four.

“We are clicking up front, and the receivers are doing a great job on the perimeter,” Swift said. “Hats off to them, the guys up front and the receivers. . . . If they do their jobs up front and we get a little space as the backs, everybody in our room, we’re going to make something happen after that.

“I feel like we’ve been doing a better job this week, and the past week, of clicking on all cylinders and doing our jobs.”

Kyle Monangai, the Bears’ second-string rookie, ran 13 times for 81 yards. Before Sunday, he had 81 rushing yards all season. The running backs had the Bears’ only TDs, both in the second quarter. Swift scored from 11 yards out; Monangai plunged in from the 1.

Quarterback Caleb Williams praised the progress of the rushing attack after he struggled against the Saints.

“Being able to run the damn ball,” he said, “as every offensive line wants to do.”

Starters out

The Bears lost two starters to injury — tight end Cole Kmet, who hurt his back in the third quarter, and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who hurt his shoulder in the second. Coach Ben Johnson said the team would evaluate them further Monday.

Stevenson had one pass deflection and three tackles in the first half. Kmet had one catch for 16 yards before leaving the game.

Kmet has been remarkably healthy during his Bears career, missing only one game in his 5œ years with the team.

First-round rookie Colston Loveland said the tight ends are cross-trained to be able to fill in for Kmet, or anywhere else.

“We gotta do everything — run routes, block,” he said. “You have to know all of it. Definitely prepared.”

KB TKO

With 11:20 to play, safety Kevin Byard collided with cornerback Nahshon Wright while the former was attempting to intercept Spencer Rattler’s pass down the Bears’ sideline. Byard dropped the ball, causing an incompletion.

The pick would’ve given Byard sole possession of the NFL lead after he picked off Rattler in the third quarter. Byard has four interceptions. He has 33 picks since entering the league in 2016, more than any other player.

Byard is eager to face the next quarterback on the schedule — the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.

“We’re excited to test our will and our resiliency,” he said.

Notes

The Saints called a trick play on third-and-20 with 11:04 to play, throwing a crossing route to tight end/backup quarterback Taysom Hill, only for him to throw the ball sideways to running back Alvin Kamara for a gain of 37 yards. The Bears challenged that Hill’s throw went forward and won, and the Saints were forced to punt.

† DJ Moore, who spent an extra night in the Washington area while doctors monitored a groin injury, led the Bears with three catches for 43 yards.

† Kicker Jake Moody made four field goals. His eight field goals in his first two games with the Bears are a franchise record.

† Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett missed his third consecutive game with a knee injury.