Green Bay Packers: 3 X-Factors against the Chicago Bears

Rashan Gary

The Green Bay Packers’ pass-rush this season hasn’t been very consistent at getting after the quarterback overall, but when they’ve faced below-average offensive line units, they have been able to take advantage. That will be key this week against a Bears unit that has allowed the 10th most quarterback pressures this season.

After Za’Darius Smith, Rashan Gary has been Green Bay’s next best edge-rusher this season. He’s second on the team in total pressures and is coming off of two of his better performances of his career against Jacksonville and Indianapolis. Earlier this week, I discussed why it’s time he starts getting more snaps while Preston Smith’s role is reduced, which you can find here.

Despite the poor quarterback play this season, Chicago is third in the NFL in average pass attempts per game. This is in part due to trailing in games so often recently but also some questionable play-calling from Matt Nagy, and the fact that the Bears have been awful at running the ball. This means plenty of opportunities to get after Mitch Trubisky.

While my hope is that we see the Green Bay cornerbacks playing closer to the line of scrimmage this week, especially given the opponent, I’m not sure that’s something we can bank on, so it will be up to the Packers’ pass rush to get after the quarterback and take away some of those easy completions. Containing Trubisky to the pocket will be important as well, as we’ve seen him hurt teams with his legs before.

With collapsing pockets, defenders in his face, and getting hit, Trubisky isn’t going to be able to deliver the ball accurately. This could very well lead to a turnover or two and shut this Bears’ offense down before the game gets closer than what it should. Za’Darius Smith will command a lot of attention as he always does, but this is another great opportunity for Rashan Gary to wreck a game.