This Chicago Bears player should be in for a big game against the Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have been top-five in allowing pressure. This is a major credit to Teddy Bridgewater getting the ball out quick, but also Matt Rhule, for turning this offensive line around overnight. However, there may be a kink in their armor that the Chicago Bears could expose.
The Panthers have been shuffling at left guard recently. Michael Schofield started the first two games, but after allowing two sacks, an injury pushed Chris Reed into action the past three weeks.
Reed has held up, as the Panthers have gone 3-0. However, Reed has seen Corey Peters and Jerry Tillery. Both are respectable, and while neither had a sack, Reed had ups and downs.
On Sunday, Reed went up against Grady Jarrett. Chicago Bears fans know that Jarrett is a menace, and he had great success against Reed, exposing him throughout the game. Reed had struggled in the run game against Peters but was exposed in the passing game against Jarrett.
This would be a fun matchup for someone like Akiem Hicks, but over the past two years, Hicks has not played on the left side of the offensive line. He has shuffled between the center and right tackle but has always rushed on that side. It is unlikely that changes.
That means that a rotation of Roy Robertson-Harris and Bilal Nichols will be rushing against Reed. Nichols against Reed will be no problem in the running game. The question comes down to RRH vs Reed in the passing game.
RRH is fourth on the team in pressures this year but has failed to add a sack to the stat column. He is higher on the team in pressures without one. Reed has been better protecting the passer than he has been helping in the run game. However, that can do with competition, and the quarterback getting the ball out.
Nonetheless, when you look up and down the defensive line, he is the weak link. Every week, this defensive line has been able to pick on the weak link. It should be no different now that RRH is the one who needs to step up.