Chicago Bears: These are the most important players against the Packers
By Ryan Heckman
1. The Chicago Bears must get an All Pro performance from Roquan Smith
That might seem funny, because Roquan Smith has had an All Pro season in 2020. Despite being snubbed from the glorified popularity contest that is the Pro Bowl, Smith has proven to be one of the league’s best all-around linebackers.
He leads the league in solo tackles with 97 and has 136 tackles total, including a whopping 17 for a loss. Smith is enjoying career highs in those major categories, and also has a career-best seven passes defensed.
Oddly enough, Smith’s worst game of the season came back on November 29th against the Packers when the Bears lost 41-25. He tallied just five tackles, all solo, but none for a loss, and zero passes defensed.
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With how much time Aaron Rodgers has had to throw the ball, Smith should be featured in some blitz packages on Sunday if Chuck Pagano is smart. He’s also the man to keep tabs on the Packers’ versatile running backs, of whom features a top-4 rusher in the league in Aaron Jones.
If the Bears’ defense is going to hold the Packers in check, this time, it will weigh heavily on Smith’s shoulders. That sideline-to-sideline mentally has to be at the forefront of this Bears defense on Sunday afternoon.