Bears Film Study: Rome Odunze Breaks Free For An Explosive TD vs. Raiders

Although we are one week closer to training camp officially starting in late July for the Chicago Bears, there is still a good amount of time before football returns.

To help fill the void, let's do another deep dive on another offensive play from the Bears' 2025 season. For those who missed the first installment of this series, check out how running back Kyle Monangai broke free for his longest run of the year against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Using Bobby Peters' "The 2025 Chicago Bears Complete Offensive Manual," let's break down Rome Odunze's 27-yard touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders in the Bears' 25-24 victory in Week 4. 

Facing a third-and-12 on the Raiders' 27-yard line, the Bears line up in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers.) Caleb Williams is in the shotgun with D'Andre Swift to his right. Also on the right side of the formation are DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus. Cole Kmet is inline to the left of Theo Benedet, and Rome Odunze is inside the left numbers. 

Coach Ben Johnson calls a variation of an outside dig with a deep over. 

According to Peters, "the outside dig concept is a play call where the Bears are trying to push the ball downfield. This concept attacks the boundary hook window with a hi-low, featuring a dig."

The dig, which Odunze runs on the play, is the primary and typically breaks inside at 16-18 yards. Peters also points out that there are a couple variations of the play, but they center "around controlling the boundary flat player." 

When Williams calls for the snap, the Raiders bring six defenders. The Bears have a max protection with Kmet staying in on the left edge to block, so Williams has time to look downfield. The boundary safety, No. 20, bites down slightly when he sees the crossers from Zaccheaus and Swift. As Odunze breaks inside on his dig route, Williams puts the ball in a perfect spot to capitalize on the explosive touchdown. 

Odunze's touchdown was the first of the game for Chicago and pulled the Bears within two points with 11:38 remaining in the third quarter. That was Odunze's fifth touchdown of the year at that point. 

As everyone probably remembers, the Bears win the game thanks to veteran defensive back Josh Blackwell's blocked field goal with :38 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Make sure to become a member at Bears Roundtable Sports to get more film study content. It's a good way to pass the time until the Bears return to Halas Hall for training camp next month.