Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack has to take over Sunday vs. Saints

The Chicago Bears will need a special performance from from their best defensive player if they want to have a chance.

The 8-8 Chicago Bears roll into the Mercedes Benz Super Dome this Sunday to face the New Orleans Saints. The Bears are big underdogs and it’s understandable why they are. The Saints are one the best teams in the league and are one of the true threats to the Green Bay Packers that hold the number one seed. They also will have Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara back.

On the flip side, the Bears are likely to be without star LB Roquan Smith. They also could be without WR Darnell Mooney, who has been a valuable weapon on offense. Factor in that cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Buster Skrine could be missing from the game also. This has the makings of a blood bath and fans calling for firings all Sunday afternoon.

The Bears spent a lot of money on the defensive side of the ball but if it’s one player on that side that can change the complexion of a the game it’s #52. For the Bears to have any chance at a playoff victory they need Khalil Mack to wreck the game.

With hypothetical fan trade proposals for Deshaun Watson this past week. Some have even thrown Mack into theirs, with some fans thinking it’s insane to include Mack in any trade. This is one of those games where Mack can prove that part of the fan base right.

The Bears are going to need more help if they want to upset the Saints. Eddie Jackson needs to show why Ryan Pace made him the highest-paid safety in the the game last year. Robert Quinn has to show why the team was confident swapping Leonard Floyd out for him. Akiem Hicks have to show why he’s the consider the most important person on that defense.

At the end of the day, this game will come down to if the high price defensive players are going to perform up to their potential. That all starts with Mack having a dominant performance.