Keys To Victory: Chicago Bears Face Major Test
By Usayd Koshul
1. Slow Down Aaron Donald
Just like Khalil Mack has singlehandedly taken the Bears Defense to another level this season, so has Rams Defensive Tackle, Aaron Donald. After signing a lengthy extension just before the start of the 2018 NFL Regular Season, Donald has totaled a career-high 16.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
In the Rams 3-4 defense, Donald is often lined up as a 3-technique defensive tackle. In simple words, that means he is lined up against on the outside shoulder of the guard. This Sunday night, expect to see James Daniels and Bryan Witzmann lined up against Donald.
What makes Donald so dangerous is the way he uses his hands and feet. He’ll constantly be using his hands to jab at opposing offensive lineman while using one foot to anchor him before using his hands again and crossing over the offensive lineman’s body and blowing past them.
Another thing that makes Donald so dangerous is the fact that even when he is double teamed, he still has a plethora of tricks up his sleeve that will allow him to blow past offensive lineman for sacks. In these situations, he takes wide steps towards the outside before placing one of his hands on the shoulder of the offensive lineman. Then, Donald proceeds to push off the offensive lineman and get after the quarterback for a sack.
While slowing down Donald won’t be easy, the Bears have proven that they have everything it takes to slow down good pass rushers, Donald is on another level compared to some defensive tackles the Bears have faced this year.