Chicago Bears get dominant performance from depth DL
The Chicago Bears have been getting great performances beyond their big-name defensive lineman
Everybody knows about Akiem Hicks, Khalil Mack, and Robert Quinn. They have all made keys and are the big names that carry the Chicago Bears elite defensive line. However, while these players have excelled in the past two weeks, what has put them over the top is their depth.
Early into the game, we saw the value of their depth. Bilal Nichols, who has seen more work with Eddie Goldman out took advantage of a stunt opened up by Robert Quinn and turned it into a sack. It is played like this by players such as Nichols that have put them over the top.
Take a look at the play below. This is the type of impact Eddie Goldman used to have on the running game.
It is not just Nichols, though. Roy Robertson-Harris, Barkevious Mingo, James Vaughters, Mario Edwards, and Brent Urban. Edwards and Mingo had solo sacks where they beat their opponent clean off of the ball and dominated as a starter would.
Together, the depth of the line had seven pressures, and four sacks of Teddy Bridgewater. That is a lot from this group considering the impact the big three had on this game.
Below, you can see how many pressures each lineman has through six weeks according to PFF:
Bilal Nichols – 11
Roy Robertson-Harris- 10
Mario Edwards- 8
Barkevious Mingo – 8
James Vaughters – 4
Brent Urban – 1
The play of Mingo has allowed the Bears to continue to rotate Robert Quinn in and out. Beyond that, the rotation of Nichols, RRH, and Edwards has added more pass rush impact to the Bears line than Goldman has provided in years past.
Next. Rashaad Coward holds back run game. dark
With Mack, Quinn, and Hicks, they are never going to see double teams. However, that means that they also have to win their matchup and punish their opponent for the lack of respect. So far, the depth of this defensive line has delivered the call.