Ezekiel Elliott presents issue for Chicago Bears run defense
The Chicago Bears are going to need to load the box up against Ezekiel Elliott to win on Thursday Night Football
One thing that we have noted in the Chicago Bears decline from a 12-4 team last season to 6-6 is a regression in run defense. This can be correlated to the loss of Akiem Hicks, and the team has had some leaks in that area.
Hicks is practicing and may be set to return next week. However, he is unable to play against Dallas. The week before Hicks comes back is the game where the team will need him the most.
The Bears have gone 3-1 in the past four games, and have improved against the run as well. However, when looking at who they faced, the question of whether the defense has improved or the opponents have regressed is worth questioning. The Bears were able to sweep Detroit in a four-week span, and that meant facing a 28th ranked rushing attack twice.
The Giants ranked 20th, as Saquon Barkley appears to be playing through an ankle injury. Their one loss came to Los Angelas. Still, the Rams ranked 16th in rushing efficiency, were starting two new linemen for the first time, Todd Gurley ran for 97 yards, which tied his season-high.
The run defense has yet to truly impress. Bringing in Nick Kwiatkoski to supplement the injured Danny Trevathan does not hurt the run defense, but it is fair to say that this is his biggest test since stepping in against the Minnesota Vikings back in Week 3.
The win against Minnesota was easily the most inspired performance of the season for the run defense. It came without Hicks and it came with Kwiatkoski. If they can get that same kind of performance, they will be in good shape.
Overall, the Chicago Bears are 2-5 against teams that rank in the top half of the NFL in rushing efficiency. The Cowboys currently rank third. On top of that, Dallas has faced five defenses better than Chicago on the ground. They have not fared well against better run defenses, which is what makes this matchup so crucial.
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Chicago has struggled against good attacks but has been solid against weak rushing groups. The same can be said for Dallas. If Dallas can establish a run, it will be a long night for Chicago. If they cannot, the Bears playoff hopes may extend another week.