Chicago Bears Pass Rush Review: Khalil Mack dominates in easy matchup
The Chicago Bears needed Khalil Mack to produce sacks and he finally did in Week 2
When we previewed the game, one of the clear advantages was the Chicago Bears defensive line against the New York Giants offensive line. Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn had not announced their presence yet, but it was needed if the Chicago Bears were going to win in Week two.
Fortunately for the Bears, the duo showed up
Khalil Mack
Mack led the team in hurries for the second straight week with six. This time, the hurries came through as he finally committed a sack. To be fair, he was practically unblocked, but when you force enough pressures, the odds come back around to reward you. According to NextGenStats, Mack average yards to QB was 2.97, which is well below the league average of 4.51. Through two weeks Mack is top five in hurries in the NFL.
Akiem Hicks
Akiem Hicks collected a sack as well, his coming against Will Hernandez. Hicks finished with four total hurries and two run stuffs, according to PFF. It was not as dominant as Mack, but Hicks looked strong in Week Two.
Roy Robertson-Harris
RRH only created two pressures, but he was in the backfield often. He was 3.59 yards away from the QB on average, almost a full yard closer than the NFL average.
Barkevious Mingo
Mingo is seeing the field often as Robert Quinn is being used exclusively as a pass rusher. Therefore, Mingo is dropping into coverage and defending the run more. Still, he had two pressures and a sack himself, although it was a coverage sack.
Robert Quinn
Quinn played 25 snaps, and rushed the passer on 24. His role is clear, but you cannot knock him if he thrives in it. He forced a fumble on a sack and finished with two pressures. As we expected, he welcomed rookie Andrew Thomas into the NFL. There is a chance that he does not expand his role, but if the production is this, you can live to see a little more Mingo.
Bilal Nichols
Nichols facing an inexperienced center was expected to be a favorable matchup. Nichols had a fine game, but only had one pressure and two run stuffs. Tyson Alualu fared better in the same matchup a week prior.
Next. Darnell Mooney ascends to WR 2. dark
James Vaughters
Like Mingo, Vaughters was taking a lot of the snaps that Quinn was not seeing. The two combined for 51 snaps, and 27 came against the run or in coverage. Still, he did add a pressure.
2020 overall
Khalil Mack – 12 pressures, 1 sack
Akiem Hicks – 6 pressures, 2 sacks
Roy Robertson-Harris 5 pressures,
Barkevious Mingo – 5 pressures, 1 sack
Bilal Nichols – 4 pressures
Robert Quinn – 2 pressures, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
James Vaughters -1 pressure
Mario Edwards – 1 pressure
John Jenkins – 1 pressure