Potential Matchup Problems for Bears Against Saints
Part of the problem challenging the Bears when they face the New Orleans Saints Sunday at Soldier Feld has to do with some of their better players.
Where the Bears are at their strongest, they're matched up against formidable Saints players.
It's difficult to gain an edge when your big-play makers are struggling just to win their own individual battles.
They found how tough this can be last year in a 36-25 loss to New Orleans. They fell behind early, and when your best players are overmatched or simply battling on even ground it makes a big comeback difficult.
Of particular concern is trying to find a way to contain running back Alvin Kamara when he does so much for the Saints.
"Alvin Kamara is a guy you just see he does everything really, really good," Bears coach Matt Nagy said. "Whether it's getting the handoff and hitting the outside zone, the inside zone, whether it's breaking tackles, catching the ball out of the backfield, being able to make a guy miss in space.
"And then in protection too he's able to stay in there and protect when he needs to, max protect and when you have a guy that has that size, that speed, that play making ability and then you have the coaching staff that puts him in great position and the quarterback that gets the ball to him it's really, really hard to stop and I think we've seen that over these years that the value that he is to an offense and he's a guy that every single play you have to know where he's at."
Bears ILB Roquan Smith vs. Rams RB Alvin Kamara
Smith had been riding a real high for three games on defense but the Rams brought him back to earth. Their running backs hurt the Bears for 120 of their rushing yards and tight ends also damaged the Bears in that game, with Bears inside linebacker barely making an impact. Smith has to step back up to the level he had played at for those three games. Kamara is on track to make over 100 receptions and is easily his team's leading receiver. Putting a safety on him as a receiver might take away some of the problem but then he is such a strong runner he can shed a safety's tackle attempt. Ideally Smith should be able to provide help in the screen game especially. The Saints love getting Kamara the ball on screens and Smith has been adept at stopping these from Day 1 of camp.
Bears OLB Khalil Mack vs. Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk
It's rare when Mack has his hands full, but he would this week even without the ankle injury he suffered against the Rams which kept him from practicing until Friday. Ramczyk made All-Pro last year and at 6-foot-6, 314 pounds he isn't the protypical size many teams go with at right tackle. Usually that position is a mauler, almost a guard in size but with longer arms. Ramczyk gets it done with quickness, strength and technique. He comes into the game with an outstanding 78.1 Pro Football Focus grade and just one sack allowed. This after he put up a spectacular 90.8 last year. Mack definitely will be challenged but working on his side is his strength, if the ankle isn't a problem. He is powerful around the corner and can counter Ramczyk's quickness. Mack had just a quarterback hit last year. Making the battle more challenging for Mack is that the Bears often would have him pull off into coverage for screen-pass prevention against a team with a running back like Kamara, so his chances of big defensive plays appear diminished.
Bears T Bobby Massie vs. Saints DE Cameron Jordan
Jordan has had a quiet start as a pass rusher, as virtually all the Saints have. He comes in with just 1 1/2 sacks, but his presence in stopping the run has been a key in helping New Orleans rank fourth in rushing defense. Jordan does it with quickness, persistence and athletic ability but at 287 pounds is plenty big enough to jolt tackles with his strength. He's not a prototypical edge rusher at that size. This is really a strength on strength matchup because Massie has been the best Bears offensive lineman despite three sacks allowed. His PFF grade of 71.8 reflects the quality play the Bears have had from him. He has been a better pass blocker (70.7) than run blocker (63.2), which is a general them for the entire Bears offensive line. Jordan won this battle decisively last year and had two sacks in the game.
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