Windy City Gridiron
The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 4 in Chicago will be no different. The Bears limp into this one with a lengthy injury report, including many key players on both sides of the ball, particularly defense. That said, the offense, especially the line, showed marked improvements in week 3. What does that mean for the players I will be focused on this week, though?
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any QBs, and you also won’t see any star defensive players like Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.
No, these are more of the unsung variety. Yet, often just as critical to the success of the team.
With just 1 TD and 149 yards with a subpar 3.5 yard average, Swift has simply not been getting it done. Granted, the new look offensive line is still rounding into form and gelling as a unit, but when the team averages a pathetic 3.0 yards per carry in their latest game against a below-average Cowboys run defense, there is reason for concern. Enter the Raiders who are coming off a game where they let up more than 200 yards on the ground for a 6.3 yard average and 3 rushing TD’s and the opportunities should be there in Vegas. If Ben can get Swift in space and the OL can do their job, I expect some big chunk yards for the former Georgia Bulldog in his best game of the year in a Bears win. If we cannot get Swift and the run game going, it could put too much on Caleb and Co. on offense which is not a pleasant place to be with Maxx Crosby ready to tee off as a pass-rusher.
I felt Brisker led the charge last week for the Bears defense with his intensity and physicality. While he was fingertips away from his own turnover (thanks to Tremaine Edmunds) Brisker is due for a big play this week. Chicago will need his physicality in run support and likely some coverage on young Pro Bowler, Brock Bowers in the passing game. If Brisker can make his mark in a good way (avoiding critical penalties or mistakes) then Chicago’s defense should do enough in this one to even their record before the BYE. If he gets victimized – it will be a long day in Vegas.
Jeanty was everyone’s top back in this class coming out, mine included, and has yet to live up to his billing as what many considered to be “generational” talent. That said, his offensive line has not helped him out much as he has accumulated 144 total yards with 145 yards earned after...
