Bears need Khalil Mack, defense to be masterful vs. Vikings

The Chicago Bears need a win on Sunday.

Odd thing to say about a 2-1 team, but the contest come this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings is critical. Through three weeks, Chicago has struggled offensively but stayed afloat thanks to stifling defense — and a dubious roughing the passer call in Denver. However, the Bears lost at home to the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, and falling to another divisional foe in their own building could be a crippling blow as the season moves along.

With quarterback Mitch Trubisky looking more passenger than pilot throughout this year (and much of his career), the onus falls on the latest Monsters of the Midway. To this juncture, Chicago is yet to allow 17 points in a game, and will need to continue that trend. It’s tough seeing Trubisky doing much against Minnesota’s defense, which has a brutally effective front featuring Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen and Anthony Barr.

Of course, Chicago has some hunter of its own on the other side. Akiem Hicks is a premiere defensive tackle, but the conversation starts and ends with Khalil Mack. Acquired a year ago from the Oakland Raiders, Mack has a case as the league’s most dominant defensive player. In 2018, Mack notched 12.5 sacks while shutting down the run to his side and pressuring the quarterback at will. This season, Mack already has three sacks, showcasing his brilliance on a weekly basis.

Head coach Matt Nagy talked about his superstar to the team’s website earlier this week:

“He’s on another level right now,” said coach Matt Nagy. “He affects every single play. It doesn’t matter if he makes the play or not, he affects it. Every game I’ve watched this year already so far, he dominates. Whether it’s getting a holding call or going after the football, there are turnovers that are occurring. He’s allowing other guys to play well too.”

With a victory, Chicago would pull ahead of Minnesota and even with Green Bay in the NFC North. A loss would drop the Bears to the basement of the division, with games still to be played against the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Not easy.

If the Bears are to win on Sunday, it’ll likely be due to a tremendous showing from Mack, Hicks and the rest of the defense. It needs to be one of their best showings.