USA TODAY International Edition
Mack, Bears take aim at rattling Cousins
With two of their upcoming games flexed into the Sunday night slot, the Bears are unquestionably in the NFL’s limelight.
It’s not hard to see why the surprise leaders of the NFC North might drive so much interest. First-year coach Matt Nagy’s group is well ahead of schedule, with Mitchell Trubisky on pace to break franchise passing records and the ascending defense tied for fourth in scoring (19.4 points per game).
Yet for the Bears to claim their first playoff berth and division title since 2010, they’ll have to conquer the foes that know them best. Four of the final seven games are against NFC North opponents, and none might end up more important than Sunday’s meeting with Minnesota.
While Trubisky and the rest of Chicago’s offense will have arguably the biggest test of their season so far against the league’s fifth-ranked defense, the tipping point of the game might be whether Khalil Mack and the Bears pass rush can rattle Kirk Cousins.
After missing two games with an ankle injury, Mack returned last week to record two of the Bears’ six sacks of Matthew Stafford in a 34-22 win over the Lions. One of his takedowns illustrated the magnitude of the problem he poses: After evading a chip from tight end Levine Toilolo, Mack pushed left tackle Taylor Decker back and off his feet en route to the quarterback.
Minnesota might similarly struggle to wall off Mack even with significant resources dedicated to the task, but help should be on the way. Having already started five combinations of offensive linemen, the Vikings could have their first-string front in full force if guards Mike Remmers and Tom Compton, both listed as questionable, are able to play.
For Cousins, the challenge of managing the pass rush will be not only to avoid taking sacks and falling behind against a defense that is allowing opponents to convert only 34.4 percent of third-down conversions, but also refrain from committing turnovers. The Bears rank first in the NFL in interceptions (16) and points off turnovers (89).
Cousins has limited his critical errors and thrown just five interceptions, but an even quicker trigger might be needed against Chicago. Adam Thielen, coming off a season-low 22-yard performance in Week 9 against the Lions, faces a key showdown in the slot against standout
cornerback Bryce Callahan.
Here are other Sunday matchups that will define Week 11: Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott vs. Falcons linebackers: With 187 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, Elliott turned in what might have been a season-saving performance for the Cowboys last week in a 27-20 win over the Eagles. Even as Dak Prescott begins to show signs of progress after the arrival of Amari Cooper, a similar effort from the offense’s centerpiece likely will be needed against the Falcons. A year ago Dallas fell flat in a 27-7 loss to Atlanta that Elliott sat out amid a suspension.
Plenty has changed for the Falcons defense, however. Three starters have been sidelined with injuries. The unit won’t be getting a boost from Deion Jones, who was designated for return from injured reserve and practiced this week but was ruled out Friday. After Nick Chubb ripped off a 92-yard run and the
Browns piled up 211 rushing yards in a win over the Falcons last week, Atlanta’s linebackers look particularly vulnerable to Elliott’s skill set. Eagles WR Golden Tate vs. Saints
CB P.J. Williams: In a largely disappointing debut for the defending champions last week after his trade from the Lions, Tate caught just two passes for 19 yards in a loss to the Cowboys that dropped the Eagles to the fringes of the NFC playoff picture. A heavier workload should be ahead against the Saints, who rank third-worst with 8.8 yards allowed per attempt. Tate also has thrived against New Orleans in the past with 35 catches for 485 yards and five touchdowns in five games.
Williams has been consistently overmatched in the slot and ranks as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-worst cornerback this season. More coverage lapses against Tate could spark a shootout. Redskins’ offensive line vs. Texans DE J.J. Watt and LB Jadeveon Clowney: With 141⁄2 combined sacks, Watt and Clowney have positioned themselves as the NFL’s most fearsome edge-rushing pair. Awaiting them is a Washington offensive front in disrepair following the loss of starting guards Brandon Scherff and Shawn Lauvao and backup offensive tackle Geron Christian. The turning point, however, could be the health of Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who is questionable with a thumb injury.
Despite the danger Watt and Clowney pose to opposing quarterbacks, the bigger issue for Washington could rest in the Texans’ ability to stop the run. Houston ranks second in the NFL with just 3.6 yards allowed per carry and has allowed only two runs of 20 yards or more this season. That could spell trouble for Washington if Adrian Peterson isn’t able to keep Alex Smith out of obvious passing situations. The Redskins are tied for 26th in first downs through the air (98).