In the Chicago Bears’ 31-27 win against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, the defense’s performance can be split into two halves.
Dennis Allen’s defense gave up 21 points on three straight offensive possessions, but his unit adjusted at halftime and forced four-straight punts in the second half.
The defense's turnaround was helped by the pass rush from Montez Sweat and Austin Booker. According to Pro Football Focus, Sweat led the team with seven total quarterback pressures, and Booker followed with five total pressures, including the defense’s only sack in the game.
Austin Booker will be the key for Bears against Rams
The Bears’ rushers will have a tough task going against the Rams’ offensive tackles. Left tackle Alaric Jackson has given up just four sacks all season and finished with a 74.5 pass blocking grade. Right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. played just 11 games (including the postseason) and allowed one sack in 455 pass blocking snaps.
Given that Stafford led the league in passing yards and touchdowns, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Rams’ offensive tackles performed well in keeping their quarterback upright.
Sweat led the Bears with 10 sacks and would likely get the most attention from the Rams’ protection, so that puts more pressure on Booker to perform. If he has a game as he did against the Packers in the Wild Card, that would give the Bears’ defense a better shot at disrupting Stafford and the Rams’ offense.
Allen gave his thoughts on what he has seen from the second-year player during his media availability.
“I think he continues to get better each and every week,” Allen said. “I know I've said this before, but the thing that I like about that player is his toughness, his grittiness, his tenacity. He plays extremely hard on every single play, and I think that's what allows him to be effective.”
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Booker finished the regular season with five sacks, and four of them occurred in the final four games. The Bears’ defensive end has been playing his best football as of late, and it will take another big-time performance to help his team move on in the playoffs.