The Chicago Bears front seven will face their toughest test of the season on Sunday night. The Los Angeles Rams come to town, sporting the best record in the NFL and one of the best offenses in the league. Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks are the four key cogs in the machine that is the Rams offense. However, they did just lose star slot wide receiver Cooper Kupp for the season. It’s a big loss, but it doesn’t seem to be slowing them down. Before their bye week, they put up 54 points on the Kansas City Chiefs in one of the most entertaining games in NFL history. Bottom line, this offense is hard to contain, but the Rams have yet to face a defense as good as the Chicago Bears this season.
Chicago Bears Front Seven Must Pressure Jared Goff
One of the most anticipated matchups of this game is going to be the Chicago Bears front seven and pass rush against the Rams offensive line. The Rams offensive line is decent, but it’s not their key strength. Many might argue that the strength of the Bears defense is their front seven. The Bears need to get after Jared Goff and make him feel uncomfortable. When Goff has time to throw, this offense is at its absolute best. He plays mistake-free football when the offensive line blocks for him. No team has been able to pressure Goff very much this year. Expect that to change Sunday.
Pressuring Goff Relies On Three Key Players
Khalil Mack
What is there to say about Khalil Mack that hasn’t been said already? He’s one of the best pass rushers we have in the game. He constantly torments offensive lineman and strikes fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks. His ability to outmuscle guys who outweigh him is unbelievable. On top of that, his speed makes it difficult for offensive linemen to keep up with him. Good luck trying to block this guy for four quarters – a feat few teams have been capable of accomplishing. The Bears defense goes where Khalil Mack goes, so look for him to leave his footprint on this game in a big way.
Akiem Hicks
Another guy who will need to have a big game is Akiem Hicks. Hicks is having a solid year after setting a career high record in sacks last season. He uses his massive frame to power through opposing offensive lines. Not only does he do great in pass rushing, but he’s also a very good run stuffer, a skill that will be useful in trying to shut down Todd Gurley. Look for Hicks to make a few key plays in this game and prove why he’s one of the most underrated defensive players in the game.
Leonard Floyd
The wildcard in this whole equation is Leonard Floyd. There’s no question that Floyd has the explosiveness and athleticism to be a great pass rusher. Unfortunately, injuries have derailed his career up to this point. He’s been healthy this year but hasn’t been producing like a top-10 pick should. If he’s able to perform at a high level, he presents yet another problem for opposing offenses. Look for Floyd to have a breakout game against the Rams, giving him momentum for a strong finish to the season.
The Last Word on Chicago Bears Front Seven
Sunday night’s contest between the Bears and Rams will be a great game to watch. Two division leaders, an incredibly talented offense going up against a stout defense. If the Bears have any chance to win this, they’re going to need to be able to put pressure on Goff. Look for Mack, Hicks and Floyd to be the key players in disrupting Goff.
