Timmy Jernigan and Fletcher Cox present problem for Chicago Bears

Bash Brothers Timmy Jernigan and Fletcher Cox present problem for Chicago Bears

The Philadelphia Eagles are making a run towards the NFC Championship because of their stellar play front on both sides of the ball, but mainly on the defensive line. The Bears interior offensive line is the teams strength on the unit, but Kyle Long, Cody Whitehair and Josh Sitton will even struggle with Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan, and what this duo brings to the table.

In Fletcher Cox, the Eagles had a perennial All-Pro talent. What they did was add Jim Schwartz, who is an excellent coach when it comes to defensive line plays. Players that he has had his hands on include Marcell Dareus, and Ndamukong Suh.

They also added Timmy Jernigan, a player who was not a scheme fit on the Baltimore Ravens, but had all of the potential in the world. With the coaching of Schwartz, Jernigan and Cox turned into the bash brothers.

Fletcher Cox

Cox has missed two games. However, he still has 4.5 sacks with 16 sacks over the past two seasons. He wins with violent hand usage, leverage and power.

Below he gets his hands on the shoulders of center Daniel Kilgore and shoves him to get him off balance before finishing him off with another push as he had gained momentum. This leads to an easy sack, but it is all technique.

Again, you can see his hands high and around the shoulders of Weston Richburg as he pushes the talented center into the backfield to round up Orleans Darkwa for a loss.

Timmy Jernigan

For as good as Cox as been, and as strong as his reputation has been it could be argued that Jernigan has been even better this season. Jernigan only has 2.5 sacks but is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with eight. He is in the backfield seemingly every play, and it is clear that the change in role in Philadelphia has turned him into the player he was expected to be coming out of Florida State.

Below, he takes advantage of Jonathan Cooper and gets himself into the backfield for an easy sack.

Like Cox, Jernigan had his way with Daniel Kilgore. Here he shoves the center back into the running back, essentially having his opposition make the tackle.

Lastly, we see the impact that Jernigan truly brings. In Week Two, he is double

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teamed in the middle. The pressure to the right of Alex Smith forces him up in the pocket towards Jernigan, but still his relentlessness to continue to push back the tandem of blockers makes the sack.

We are really going to see what the Bears have in their interior offensive line in this game. The tackles are in for a match of their own, and the guards are not going to be able help in anyway. It is safe to say that the Eagles will be able to consistently get pressure rushing four in this game.

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