5 reasons the Chicago Bears can win with Nick Foles as QB
By Sean Sears
A much-improved pass rush
The Bears pass rush wasn’t nearly as dominant in 2019 as it was the season prior, falling from 50 sacks in 2018 to just 32 sacks despite their pressure numbers staying roughly the same. The difference between the two seasons? Akiem Hicks.
The Bears nose tackle had posted at least 7 sacks and had suited up for every game for his first three seasons in Chicago. But after being limited to just 5 games last season due to an elbow injury, along with the Bears lack of even decent pass rushers to pair with Mack, teams were able to double-team Mack and eliminate the Bears pass rush.
Having Hicks and Mack healthy and on the same line allows the Bears to control the run while also avoiding having to blitz their middle linebackers and safeties and should improve their pass defense as well. The Bears do go out and sign free agent edge-rusher Robert Quinn from the Cowboys, who’s coming off his highest sack total (11.5 last year) since 2013. But the key to the Bears defense is being able to pressure quarterbacks without having to rush more than four defenders.
With Mack and Hicks back together on the left side of the line, rushers like Quinn should be able to take advantage of the single-blockers and create pressure from the right side. Which should hopefully create more turnovers, which hopefully means the Bears defense finds the endzone like they did six times in 2018.