Bears Defense Regains Its Edge in Time for Eagles

When last week's Bears loss to the Los Angeles Chargers ended, Khalil Mack had to do a double-take because he didn't feel as beaten up as normal.

The Bears definitely didn't feel as beaten up as they had after the previous two games, and considering how many double teams Mack has to face each game it's unusual for him to feel fresh after any game.

Being on the field for only 22 minutes never wears down a defense.

"Absolutely," Mack said. "I was trying to figure out why I felt, you know what I mean, the way I did Monday. It's one of those situations where you use it to your advantage and get ready for the next week."

The Bears defense can rest assured they'll get to put in their minutes this week.

The Philadelphia Eagles might have talented targets like Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz for Carson Wentz to throw to, but their success begins with a strong running game and ball control from backs Jordan Howard and Mike Sanders.

The Eagles are going to be physical, just like the Raiders and Saints were with the Bears defense.

"This (shot)gun-run game is obviously at the forefront and the RPOs that come off it," Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said. "And that's going to be a huge challenge for us with Carson (Wentz) and the way Philly runs their offense. They do a great job."

The question is whether the Bears are up to playing a physical defensive style, because the Chargers weren't a really good test of this by running it only 12 plays.

When Akiem Hicks went out with an arm injury, the Bears seemed to lose their physicality on defense.

They gave up 320 yards in two games on the ground in two weeks, but the cave-in stopped.

"We're not giving up like 100 yards per run over here because Hicks is out and then only a half yard over here, and they're running over (where Hicks had played) every time," Pagano said. "That hasn't happened."

Getting Roquan Smith back in the flow last week helped, after he hadn't been the same since missing a game for "personal issues.' He looked to be going upfield and was more aggressive.

"I felt like I was downhill in the game," Smith said. "I feel like I definitely improved that aspect. I definitely felt like that was one of the biggest things."

Bilal Nichols returning from a broken hand has helped pull together the defensive front without Hicks around.

Stopping Howard and the speed complement Sanders presents will take being more physical than the Bears were against the Chargers, as well as the Saints and Raiders.

"I mean Jordan does what Jordan does," Nichols said. "He's a tough-nose back who's not scared of contact. I think that's what makes him great. He's not scared to lower his shoulder. Actually that's all he wants to do."

Although the offense of Eagles coach Doug Pederson comes from the same Kansas City roots as Matt Nagy's offense, there's more of a power-running slant to the run-blocking scheme. That obviously suits Howard.

"I think the thing with Jordan is you've got to get him and get him early and try not to get him rolling," Pagano said. "And he's probably one of those guys that as the game goes along and it gets longer, he's probably picking up steam and gaining strength.

"Fifteenth carry to 20th carry to 22nd, whatever that is, they've got two backs, we understand that, but you know he's got good vision and good sight lines, and things like that. And he'll hit a hole. I think they understand and appreciate the value of a 3- or 4-yard run that will sometimes squeak into a 10, 12, 15, whatever that is. Cause third down, I think they're second in the league right now on third down percentage."

It's why the Eagles are averaging over 31 minutes of possession time, as well.

If they come away with possession time on their side again Sunday, it's a good bet Mack and the Bears defense won't leave the field feeling ready to go another round like they did last week.

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