The Chicago Bears are rolling strong with five straight wins, including beating the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 24-15 on Black Friday.
Bears running backs Kyle Monangai and D'Andre Swift were the stars of the game with over 100 yards from each back, something that hasn't happened in 40 years. Chicago cornerback Nahshon Wright had another bright moment in the game as he stripped the ball from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts on the Tush Push.
The Bears finished with 281 yards rushing and held the Eagles to just 317 yards of offense. Chicago now enters Week 14 with a 9-3 record and in first place in the NFC North.
There have been many positives for the team, but one thing has to improve if the Bears want to win their first postseason game since 2011.
Lack of a pass rush from Chicago is worrisome
During the Eagles game, one thing that stood out about the Bears was that their defensive line failed to apply any pressure on Hurts. They finished the game with one quarterback hit and zero sacks in the win.
Looking at the regular season numbers, the Bears are 22nd in the NFL in sacks with just 23 on the season. Bears defensive end Montez Sweat is the only player on the roster with more than five sacks this season, with 7.5. Sweat is the only Bear to have over 10 quarterback hits with 12.
Chicago was hoping that when they signed Dayo Odeyingbo in the offseason that he would be able to help Sweat off the edge. After one sack in eight games and a season-ending injury, the Bears have turned to Austin Booker to be that second pass rusher. Booker has had one sack and six quarterback hits in the last five games.
It's not a defensive end that has been the second-best pass rusher on the team, though. That honor goes to Gervon Dexter, who has racked up four sacks and six quarterback hits, both of which are second on the team.
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The Bears truly need somebody other than Sweat to step up in that role. Their lack of a pass rush will not work against some of the best passing attacks in the NFL when the postseason rolls around.