The Chicago Bears defense is back and what a wonderful feeling it is. The project GM Ryan Pace began back in 2015 has finally come to fruition. Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, Leonard Floyd, Eddie Goldman, Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, and Eddie Jackson have formed something special and it’s been a delight to watch so far.
They introduced themselves to Aaron Rodgers in the opener in grand fashion before fatigue caught up to them in Green Bay. Then they got some redemption by banging around Russell Wilson on Monday Night Football, putting on a display that all America witnessed. While most just felt bad for Wilson, people in Chicago were overjoyed.
Their beloved defense was reborn and now it’s hungry for a new victim. Next on the agenda is the Arizona Cardinals. The last time these two teams met, the Bears were humiliated 48-23 at home. Things figure to be a little different this time around. In fact, it could be the single-most sustained run of devastation the defense has had in years.
#AZCardinals HC Steve Wilks’ Sam Bradford is the starting quarterback. pic.twitter.com/rqy73Ywy0q
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) September 19, 2018
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Chicago Bears defense could massacre Sam Bradford
Bradford has some of the worst luck of any quarterback in recent memory, at least on the field. Financially, it’s the complete opposite. Regardless he’s torn his ACLs and always seems to get replaced everywhere he’s been. Now he’s trapped in Arizona making a huge one-year deal but wide open to some pretty ruthless beatings early this season.
Care for some perspective? Bradford has dropped back to pass 70 times so far this season. He’s been pressured on 32 of those instances. In other words, he’s been hurried, hit or sacked almost half the time he’s tried to pass the ball this season. It’s little wonder he’s averaging 4.0 yards per pass attempt with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
He’s also not a scrambler. To say nothing of the fact that he might not have Larry Fitzgerald on Sunday who is nursing a bad hamstring and continues to miss practice. So to recap an immobile quarterback with no proven receivers standing behind an iffy offensive line going against the #1 pass rush in the NFL. That’s a recipe for murder.
The Bears seem to love playing against Bradford too. In four games against him, they sacked him 15 times, and there’s no question this is the best pass rush they’ve had of all the meetings. Arizona better hope they can get David Johnson established on the ground. Otherwise, Bradford may not live to see the second half.
