CHICAGO _ It took only three plays Monday night for Bears rookie Jordan Howard to stake his claim to the starting running back job.
With Jeremy Langford in uniform, back from a sprained right ankle and watching from the sideline, Howard exploded for a 69-yard run. It was the Bears' longest run from scrimmage since Kahlil Bell had a 72-yard carry in November 2009.
Howard's 69 rushing yards on the play were more than rushing total the Vikings had surrendered to a player in an entire game all season.
On an inside zone run to the left, left guard Eric Kush executed a reach block to help open a lane for Howard to cut back through.
He burst into the second level away from any defenders. Howard doesn't have electric speed _ that's more Langford's department _ and he was chased down at the Vikings' 13-yard line by cornerback Xavier Rhodes.
The Bears' drive stalled, though, and they settled for a field goal.
After Langford was hurt in Week 3, Howard took advantage by rushing for 111 and 118 yards, respectively, in each of the next two games.
Against tougher defensive matchups in the ensuing two games, though, Howard managed only 34 and 22 yards, respectively.
Howard finished the game with 153 yards from scrimmage and 202 all-purpose yards.
