Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants: A battle of polar opposites
By Ryan Heckman
The Chicago Bears travel to take on the New York Giants in Week 13 in a matchup featuring two polar opposite franchises when it comes to a key area.
Let’s just get right to it: The Chicago Bears and New York Giants are two very, very different franchises at the moment. But, you already knew that.
Would it surprise you, though, to know that the Giants are still alive amidst their own division? It sounds crazy, but after winning two of their last three games and losing a close one to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants aren’t dead just yet.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
Sure, the Dallas Cowboys are 6-5 and riding high right now. But, mathematically, these Giants still have hope. Let’s not act like they have nothing to play for. This is still a team that features two of the most electric playmakers in all of football in Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley.
Alright, that’s enough pumping up of the opposition for this week.
The problem for the Giants isn’t with Barkley or Beckham. Heck, it might not even all fall on the shoulders of Eli Manning.
The problem with the Giants is there horrendous, atrocious, sad excuse of an offensive line. Maybe, just maybe, there is a reason it seems like Manning can’t stop dumping the ball off every other down.
The Giants feature one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, but specifically, they are terrible at protecting Manning. Pro Football Focus grades their offensive line as the third-worst group when it comes to pass protection.
The Giants offensive line has given up the 2nd-most sacks in all of football this year at 38 (one short of the league lead at 39). The Bears, meanwhile, have given up just 23 sacks on the year.
This, my friends, is where the major difference occurs. You thought I was going to focus on the Bears’ defense, didn’t you? Fine, that defense is nasty, and lightyears ahead of New York. That’s an easy one.
Trending. Bears: Defense criticized by radio personality. light
But, where many thought the Bears would suffer, especially after the loss of veteran guard Kyle Long, has actually turned into a strength. The ability for this line to protect Mitch Trubisky (and Chase Daniel) has been one of the keys to this offense.
The Bears, remember, are fifth in the league in scoring right now. When the quarterback has time, and is kept clean, points typically follow. While the Giants’ line was supposed to be much improved after signing a guy like Nate Solder, they have gone the opposite direction.
Meanwhile, the Bears have seen fantastic seasons out of guys like Bobby Massie and Charles Leno on the outside. Prior to this season, Massie was looked at as the weakest part of the line. Believe it or not, he’s graded well overall on the season and has only allowed one sack.
Leno, meanwhile, grades out as the best lineman on the Bears according to our friends at PFF.
People can talk about all of the big names heading into this game, whether it be the skill players of the Giants or guys like Khalil Mack and Tarik Cohen of the Bears. But, where the stark difference between these teams will be noticed more so than any area, is the offensive lines.
In other words, this could be a very, very long day for Eli.
Bears: 3 matchups to exploit against Giants. dark. Next
For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe
to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.