Can Chicago Bears contain Julius Peppers?
Julius Peppers has fared well against his old foe in the past. WIll he do it again in Week Seven?
Julius Peppers had a great four year run for the Chicago Bears. However, it stings to know that Peppers spent the next three seasons hurting the Bears on the Green Bay Packers. Peppers has usually played well against the Bears and may be an opportunity to do so again this week.
In the past six games that Peppers has faced the Chicago Bears, he has 3.5 sacks and 14 tackles. There were a few games in which he was limited, but others, he controlled the game.
While his past history suggests he can succeed, the current matchup only solidifies that notion. Peppers is on fire this season. His 6.5 sacks have him on pace to set a career-high at age 37. It has to do with the role he is in. He is a situational pass rusher and rotates with a strong group of pass rushers. Offensive lines are typically worn down by the time he gets going. He is back home, with the team that drafted him and he is thriving in the perfect role.
He also has a perfect matchup with Bobby Massie on Sunday. There is almost no doubt that Massie is the Bears worst pass protecting offensive lineman. Peppers will be having another homecoming of sorts, and he could be terrorizing Massie, and potentially changing the game.
The Bears are going to have to account for Peppers. They are going to have to slide coverages, roll out Mitchell Trubisky and use plenty of tight ends. Peppers is in line for a big game. The Bears need to make sure this doesn’t happen.