Chicago Bears: 5 key matchups in opener vs. Detroit Lions
By Ryan Heckman
3. Bears inside pressure vs. C Frank Ragnow
When it comes to attacking the Lions’ offensive line, we don’t have to speak much on Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks or Robert Quinn. It is pretty much a no-brainer that the outside pressure will be plenty for Detroit to handle.
The fascinating part of the trenches, though, is in the middle where Bilal Nichols will enter as the Bears’ starting nose tackle. For the majority of the game, he will be attacking stud center Frank Ragnow.
Ragnow graded as PFF‘s sixth-best center in all of football in 2019. Take a PFF grade for whatever it’s worth to you, but most would agree that Ragnow had a strong season for the Lions.
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Nichols is attempting to fill some big shoes in 2020, as starting nose tackle Eddie Goldman chose to sit out the year. If he is able to wreak a little havoc in the middle of that line, Stafford and his running backs are in for a long day.
You might also see Roy Robertson-Harris shift over and stunt with Nichols at times, so he’ll have a crack or two at Ragnow as well. On blitzing downs, Ragnow will have plenty to worry about with either Roquan Smith or Danny Trevathan angling down the middle, too.