The Chicago Bears’ defensive line is a problem, and we all know it. They cannot create any pressure, and thus do not get sacks. They rank bottom ten in pressure rate and sack rate. Without sacks, it is hard to stop drives from moving forward. Trading Robert Quinn was admitting that the problem will not improve this season and that they want to use assets to get better in the future.
However, if the defensive line may ever have a decent game, it could be Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Can Chicago Bears get sacks against Atlanta Falcons?
While the Chicago Bears do not get pressure, the Atlanta Falcons are one team that allows pressure more than most. Marcus Mariota faces pressure on 36.2% of his dropbacks. The only two teams the Bears have faced allowing more pressure are the New York Giants and Houston Texans.
Those games were some of the highest pressure rates from Chicago, and they had two sacks in those games. Still, Robert Quinn was around for those games.
The one thing that will potentially sway this in the Bears’ favor is Marcus Mariota. While Davis Mills and Daniel Jones face pressure more than Mariota, they do not create as much pressure as Mariota.
According to PFF, Daniel Jones is responsible for 16.7% of the pressure he faces, while Davis Mills is responsible for 11.7% of the pressure. Meanwhile, Mariota is at 18%.
Meanwhile, Mariota has a 25.7% pressure-to-sack rate. Jones was 20.3%, and Mills is down at 17%.
So, the Atlanta Falcons give up as much pressure as any team the Chicago Bears have faced. Of those, Marcus Mariota is responsible for the most pressure taken of any quarterback, and he has the highest pressure-to-sack rate as well.
The Chicago Bears’ defensive line is not going to get any better, but at some point, an offense that struggles may throw them one. Marcus Mariota is the type of quarterback who gets himself into trouble, even when the defensive line does not necessarily make him panic.
This could be a game where the Chicago Bears are able to see their pass rush come alive, mainly because the quarterback that they play seeks out pressure.