Matt Forte Injury: Why This Is Golden Chance for Marion Barber To Shine

The Chicago Bears lost stud running back Matt Forte for somewhere between two to four weeks yesterday when he suffered an MCL sprain. Without Forte and quarterback Jay Cutler, Chicago's playoff hopes have dimmed considerably. But the Bears still have a chance to make a run and those hopes rest with backup running back Marion Barber.

Barber rushed 14 times for 44 yards after Forte left Sunday's 10-3 loss to the Chiefs. While he has looked slow at times over the past two seasons, Barber showed a little life yesterday and maybe he still has some juice left in his legs. He is just 28 years old after all.

Barber has been strictly a short-yardage back for the Bears this season, and has carried the ball 62 times for 237 yards and five touchdowns. He is almost nothing like Forte, which means backup Kahlil Bell will also likely see time in Chicago's backfield.

Bell is a much better receiving threat than Barber is and if they are really going to go with a two-back system as head coach Lovie Smith has claimed, Bell would certainly be a better option on passing downs.

But without Cutler under center, I think the Bears will go to a smash-mouth style and just dare teams to stop the run. If that means they have to punt a lot, then so be it, because the team's strength is obviously its defense. 

That means Barber will get ample opportunities to gain tough yards inside and even see chances to break runs to the outside. If he performs well he could see his stock go through the roof. If the Bears want to make the playoffs this season, Barber needs to have a monster final few weeks.