Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore Ravens: Defensive grades

Defensive Line: A-

Remember when I said that the Chicago Bears could really use someone other than Akiem Hicks needed to do something on the defensive line?

Eddie Goldman was listening, apparently. The third-year nose tackle busted out six total tackles, including a demolishing tackle-for-loss.

Then again, that’s not to suggest that Hicks didn’t do anything, either. Just generally, the Bears’ defensive front thrashed the Ravens for most of this game, leading the effort that held Baltimore’s offense without a touchdown.

For one thing, I kind of hope Ronde Barber keeps broadcasting Bears games this season not because he’s good (he’s really not) but because when he says the words “Akiem Hicks”, Hicks destroys things.

An example: following a run stuff by Goldman, Barber noted that Hicks’ name hadn’t been called “that much” yesterday.

Right on cue, Hicks obliterated Ravens right guard Ryan Jansen for a sack that may not have taken two seconds. I might mute the television broadcast, but I’ll take the plays.

I’m still waiting for Jonathan Bullard or Roy Robertson-Harris to do something meaningful, but for now, the Bears made due with the Hicks and Goldman Show just fine on Sunday.

Ideally, though, having all three defensive linemen in the game dominating at the same time would be nice. Can we have that, eventually?