Key matchups No. 4 and No. 5: Chicago Bears vs Cincinnati Bengals
4. Khalil Mack vs Bengals OT’s
The Bears’ defense was not up to snuff against the Rams, plain and simple. The Bengals offense should be an easier task but can still be explosive. One area that the Bears would love to see improvement is rushing the passer.
The Bears produced one sack on Sunday and as a whole, didn’t produce a whole lot of pressure. The Bengals’ offensive line is absolutely a weakness Chicago should attack, especially on the outside. The Bengals possess a former first-round pick in Jonah Williams at LT and veteran Riley Reiff at RT.
Going back to last season and even 2019 at times, Mack has been quiet and not the game-wrecker he was in 2018 and years past. The Bengals’ o-line should be a good opportunity for him to get back on track.
5. Roquan Smith vs Joe Burrow
The QB on the offense vs the QB on the defense should be an interesting one to watch. Roquan Smith may very well be the best player on this Bears defense and he sets the tone for that side of the ball.
Joe Burrow, going into his second year is a rising QB, and seeing these two go at it should be a treat. The Bears have the talent to be an elite defense and Smith can be the catalyst for that. Burrow looked sharp in week one but the Bears defense should be a tougher test for the second-year player.