Can Akiem Hicks elevate the Bears’ defense again?

With defensive lineman Akiem Hicks set to return, can he elevate the Chicago Bears defense once more?

With the Chicago Bears ready to have defensive lineman Akiem Hicks return, the locker room is buzzing due to the fact that the Bears are getting more than just a great player back. What’s also returning is Hicks’ leadership qualities that are so vital to the Bears defense. In a lot of ways, while Khalil Mack is the fact of the Bears defense, Hicks is what enables the defense to play at such a high level.

However, Hicks biggest impact comes in two ways. First, he’s able to take on multiple double teams which then allows guys like Mack to make plays. Second, Hicks plays a major role in stopping opponents’ running game. Since he’s gone down back in week five, the Bears have given up an average of 112 rushing yards over the last nine games.

When the Bears take on the Green Bay Packers, one of the biggest things to watch out for will be Hicks stopping the Packers running back Aaron Jones, who’s averaged 4.5 yards per carry in 2019 along with 12 rushing touchdowns.

Then there’s the Packers second running back Jamaal Williams, who’s one of NFL’s most underrated running backs this year, quietly averaging 6.3 yards per reception, quietly proving that he’s an asset in the passing game.

Overall, with Hicks back, he’ll need to be an immediate difference-maker for the Bears defense. Green Bay has the kind of offense where if the running backs get into a groove early in the game, momentum will build quickly meaning that the Packers could jump out to a big lead.

While it won’t all be on Hicks to make plays, he will need to consistently do so in order for the rest of the defense to properly function. One of things to keep an eye on against the Packers will also be the fact that Hicks could potentially be on a snap count during earlier points in the game.

In the past, for players that have returned from injuries, the Bears have a habit of easing them back into the game meaning that Hicks could see limited playing time during the first half tomorrow.

Then there’s the rust factor that needs to be considered as well. Remember that Hicks hasn’t played since the first week of October which means that he’ll need a few plays to get himself back into rhythm.

Overall, Hicks has everything it takes to elevate the Bears defense against the Packers. However since he hasn’t played in an actual game in nearly two months, how big of an impact he can make certainly remains to be seen.