Chicago Bears: Three MVPs in big win over Packers

MVP #2: LB Khalil Mack and the Bears pass rush

I know it’s not really fair to choose an entire front seven as an MVP, but it’s tough to pinpoint just exactly who should be highlighted from a great team performance on the defense. Linebacker Khalil Mack had a huge day, but he wasn’t the only one getting to the quarterback.

Mack had six tackles, two and a half sacks and three quarterback hits on Sunday. He was a major disruptor, pressuring Rodgers often and forcing him to throw early. There was another player in the front seven that matched his intensity and had a nearly-identical stat line.

I’ve been very hard on linebacker Leonard Floyd this season, and I feel he underperformed early this year. He didn’t have a sack until week 10 and wasn’t getting enough quarterback pressure despite constant double-teams on Mack.

Floyd was another guy getting consistent pressure on Rodgers during Sunday’s game. He finished with six tackles, two sacks, and three quarterback hits. It was by far his best game of the season. He really stepped up at the right time for this team.

The Packers tried to cut the lead during a two-possession game in the fourth quarter with the score 24-14. The pressure on Rodgers helped end his streak of consecutive completions without an interception.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1074405253544439808

Safety Eddie Jackson picked Rodgers in the end zone after a deflection, ending the streak at 402 passes. Mack said earlier in the week the defense treated ending the streak as their job.

While it was a great play, Jackson injured himself on the return and the Bears revealed after the game that Jackson suffered a sprained ankle.

This Bears defense continues to impress again and again with clutch plays and big performances when the team needs them most. They are the catalyst for this team heading into the postseason.