Chicago Bears: Predicting offensive, defensive leaders vs Lions

Defense

The Chicago Bears have one of if not the best defenses in the entire National Football League. In 2018 they had absurd takeaway numbers and that helped them to a division title. Those takeaway numbers regressed a little bit in 2019 but that was to be expected. What didn’t regress was their ability to keep the opposition from scoring lots of points. Their offense fails them a good amount of the time but they are awesome.

In this game, you can expect Khalil Mack to be their defensive leader. They have other studs like Akiem Hicks, Eddie Jackson, Robert Quinn, and Kyle Fuller amongst others but this week belongs to Mack. He is the best player on the football team and it might seem like a safe pick but there are a few reasons to back him up as the guy who will be their defensive leader.

The biggest is that it will be his first week with both Hicks and Quinn helping him create pressure. He is going to be less covered (you would think) as a result so that could help him get to the quarterback with much less resistance. He has also always been good for the Bears in the first week of the season in his time with them. This year should have him plenty motivated and he will be the freshest in week number one.

Hopefully, everyone is able to step up but these are the safe bets as their top producers against the Lions. This is an important game because nobody knows what to expect from this team. They need to get off on the right foot if they are going to make this season a success.