Most fans often hear the phrase “game plan for” a lot in the NFL. It’s often used by coaches or players in describing what they’re doing to prepare for an upcoming game against certain superstar players. One of the first defenders to elicit that sort of response in pro football to such a high degree was New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor. Now it appears the Chicago Bears are learning what that life is like with Khalil Mack.
Few things change the outlook of a game from the defensive side of the ball more than an elite pass rusher. The Bears haven’t had anybody close to that since Julius Peppers left. Suddenly getting it back following the blockbuster trade for Mack has been a wild adjustment period for fans. They were left hoping Leonard Floyd might somehow fill that role. Now they’ve almost completely forgotten about him.
One thing is for sure. Future Bears opponents can relate. The arrival of Mack seems to have shifted the entire balance of power in the NFC. Chicago’s defense has become one of the best in the NFL, led by his five sacks in four games. Stacey Dales of NFL.com caught up with Kenyan Drake of the Miami Dolphins who will play against him on Sunday. The running back broke down just how hard it is to prepare for someone like Mack.
Dolphins player describes the nightmare of planning for Khalil Mack
“Definitely a game changer. A scheme wrecker. It’s easy to kind of just look at him and try to key on him because he shows up so much, and so often. When a guy is that disruptive, you have to accommodate more than just one body to him, because it’s hard to try to contain him with even two guys … let alone one person, it’s almost impossible.”
The respect didn’t stop there. Drake continued: “As we’ve seen over the last few weeks, he can go in and be a game changer. A play or two and he changes the trajectory of a game. So he’s definitely somebody that’s on our radar that we have to make sure we always keep accountable.”
One can understand why the Dolphins are nervous. Their offensive line has struggled in pass protection of late. Right tackle Ja’wuan James, who will have to deal with Mack during the game, has been among the primary culprits. He’ll likely be getting a lot of help from tight ends and running backs trying to slow the Bears star down.
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It’s little wonder Miami even referenced the hot weather expected for the game as another advantage they can use. If they’re able to sustain some drives, the heat will eventually sap the Chicago pass rush in the 4th quarter. It has some merit. In two home games this year, the Dolphins have scored 31 combined points in the final quarter.
Then again the Bears have allowed just 17 points in the 4th over the past three games. So something will have to give. Since Mack is known for his late-game success, it stands to reason the Dolphins made need to count on more than the weather to help them in this one.
