Windy City Gridiron
The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs. Week 2 presents us with a small amount of insight into how each team figures to perform this season, though not much can ever be concluded from one game in a vacuum.
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I figure to be integral to their respective teams’ success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any QBs and you also won’t see any star defensive players like Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa.
No, these are more of the unsung variety. Yet, often just as critical to the success of the team.
Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears.
In his last fully healthy season, the former Ohio State Buckeye was a Pro Bowler for the Detroit Lions with Ben Johnson in 2021. Since then, his career has been marred by injuries and inconsistent play, the latter of which plagued him and the entire Bears offense in week 1. If he cannot get in sync with his cohorts along the offensive line, most notably new center Drew Dalman, then expect another rough outing for the former Lion and Rams player. However, if he can step up to the challenge and play with discipline (no pre-snap penalties) and technique, our highly paid RG should help open some holes in the struggling run game and protect Caleb Williams in the passing game. Considering Detroit will be without stud DT Alim McNeil, Jackson has a better chance.
In week 1 against the Packers, the Detroit Lions only ran the ball 22 times, but targeted a TE or RB in the passing game 23 times. Considering the complete overhaul of their interior OL, expect the same this week. My eyes will be following Edmunds as he tracks down ball carriers both in the run game and out of the backfield and mirrors Sam LaPorta in the passing game. While I noticed one missed tackle Monday night against the Vikings, Edmunds had a very respectable 10 total tackles (7 solo) and 1 pass defensed. This was with Minnesota running just 49 plays of offense. If he can stay active against Detroit and help keep the run game in check and keep Goff one-dimensional, Edmunds should be in position to make plays in the passing game. If he fails to capitalize or appears a step or two behind like he did last time we visited Detroit, it could be another demoralizing loss. Either way, with a hobbled TJ Edwards and a vulnerable Noah Sewell in pass coverage, Edmund’s will be key.
In two games against the Chicago Bears last season, Gibbs carried the ball 32 times for 196 yards (6.1 yd avg.) and a TD while securing 6 of 9 targets in the passing game for 62 yards. In week 1 of the 2025 season, Gibbs saw...
