Chicago Bears secondary can cement meteoric rise in week two matchup
The Chicago Bears secondary is being viewed as one of the best in the NFL. Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and Tyrique Stevenson were all drafted in the second round, and Johnson has ascended to franchise cornerback status while the other two are still young and up-and-coming.
This has raised the excitement level, but the unit has not quite ascended to the top of the league status quite yet. Sunday against the Houston Texans may be the first time that they become recognized in that way on a national stage.
The Chicago Bears secondary will be tested by the Houston Texans in week two
The Texans bring in arguably the best wide receiver trio in the NFL with Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. What makes this group so special is that they all have differing skill sets that blend together.
Collins is the massive receiver who can box you out down the field and win when the ball is in the air. He is a contested catch star. Dell is much smaller but much shiftier. He is like a jitterbug that is hard to catch. Then, there is the technician in Diggs, who remains one of the league's best route runners.
In week one, Diggs primarily ran out of the slot while Dell and Collins were outside switching sides. Johnson and Stevenson are both built big and are better at defending the sideline than they are in the middle of the field. This sets them up to be better against Collins. Who can contain Dell will be the question of the night.
Gordon is pretty good against strong route runners in the slot, but Diggs is going to be one of the bigger tests that he will face early in the season. Diggs has typically played outside, so this is a new venture for him, and it could lead to him extending the prime of his career.
Beyond the reality that these receivers present a tough matchup is C.J. Stroud who seems to have a great ability to read defenses, throw with anticipation, and make the most out of these weapons.
If the Bears cornerbacks walk out of this game feeling as though they contained this receiver group that has to be a win.