The Chicago Bears’ week three opponents, the New York Giants are 2-1, and they have not gotten a huge contribution from their two rookie top ten picks. Kayvon Thibodeaux returned to the lineup in a limited role in week three, while right tackle Evan Neal has been a disappointment so far this season.
According to PFF Evan Neal has the most pressures allowed in the NFL. It is fair to give Neal some time to figure things out when you consider that he was playing left tackle at Alabama last season and now is in the NFL playing right tackle.
Beyond that, Neal has not had the easiest path of matchups. He saw Bud Dupree in week one, Brian Burns in week two, and Demarcus Lawrence in week three. Those are some talented edge rushers, and Lawrence was racking up the wins against Neal.
It is one thing for Evan Neal to struggle against Demarcus Lawrence, but will he really struggle against Al-Quadin Muhammad? We have noted that Trevis Gipson has been much more productive than AQM, but no change was made in week three, and Muhammad still dominates the snap share.
As things stand, Evan Neal would face AQM for about 59% of his snaps on Sunday. That would be the easiest matchup of his season and a potential chance for him to get his footing. On the flip side, if Trevis Gipson played a bit more, they could keep the gas on. Still, compared to the previous names mentioned, even Gipson may not be as sturdy of a matchup.
Do not anticipate seeing Robert Quinn move around, though. He hardly has rushed from the right side since signing with Chicago and has not taken a single snap from that side this season. He will have his hands full with Andrew Thomas.
The team could ask Quinn to switch sides this week, but we do not know how comfortable or willing the coaches would be to do that.
With that in mind, it is likely to be the combination of Gipson and Muhammad. While Muhammad has not gotten going yet, perhaps Neal is still so fresh to the NFL that he allows the former Colts pass rusher to start to feel himself with the Chicago Bears.