Eagles Defensive Line Will Be The Key To Victory On Sunday
5 January 2019 NFL News & Updates
After a drama filled week 17, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business in Washington and were able to make the playoffs with the Bears beating the Vikings. Nick Foles was spectacular for the 3rd straight week, throwing for 221 yards, completing 28 of 33 passes. He also tied an NFL record with completing 25 straight passes.
The Eagles will take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field this Sunday, a week after the Bears helped the Eagles make the playoffs.
The Chicago Bears finished this season 12-4, and are one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs having won 4 in a row. The Bears were carried by their defense this season, finishing with the 3rd ranked total defense.
Everyone is focusing on the Bears defense vs the Eagles offense ahead of this game. Lead by Khalil Mack, the Bears defense has been suffocating this season, finishing with a total of 36 takeaways, good for 1st in the league.
Now I know the juicy match up is Khalil Mack and the Bears pass rush vs the Eagles offensive line, as Khalil Mack will easily will be the best player on the field on Sunday. However this game is going to come down to the Eagles getting pressure on Mitch Trubisky.
The Chicago Bears lead the league in takeaways this year, but one thing that is going under the radar is the Bears 24 giveaways, which is 8th highest in the league. Getting turnovers will start with the Eagles defensive line making Trubisky uncomfortable.
The Eagles defensive line has started to heat up, and was the biggest reason they were able to make the super bowl run last year. Fletcher Cox is playing his best football of the season as of late, and Michael Bennett has been better then advertised all season.
Another thing the Eagles defensive line has to do is keep Mitchell Trubisky contained in the pocket. Trubisky is 5th out of all quarterbacks in rushing yards, and averages 6.2 yards a carry. Trubisky is one of the best in the league at avoiding pressure, and they cannot allow him out of the pocket.
Mitchell Trubisky has been prone to turning the ball over since entering the league last year, and if the Eagles want any chance of winning on Sunday, they need to cause havoc in the backfield all game.