Bears' Caleb Williams faces stiff test against Browns' Myles Garrett as he seeks to avoid sack record.
A significant hurdle stands between the Chicago Bears and their quest for a crucial victory on Sunday: elite pass rusher Myles Garrett, who is leading the league with 20 sacks this season. This week's game at Soldier Field presents an ideal opportunity for Garrett to shatter the NFL single-season sack record, currently held by Aaron Donald and Von Miller.
Caleb Williams, the Bears' quarterback, has seen a string of Hall of Fame pass rushers in his first 13 games, including Aidan Hutchinson, Maxx Crosby, Cam Jordan, T.J. Watt, and Micah Parsons. However, he's managed to limit damage from these players with some rare awareness, agility, and decision making. Nevertheless, Williams is now set to face the toughest test of all: Garrett, who has dominated with his unique combination of size, strength, and speed.
The Browns' defense employs a "wide nine" scheme that often sets Garrett up outside the pocket before the snap, where he can reach the quarterback quickly. Bears coach Ben Johnson called this defense "desperately" necessary for their playoff hopes, as the team aims to secure 11 wins. The Packers, 49ers, and Lions are upcoming opponents who will pose significant challenges for Chicago.
Garrett has consistently outmaneuvered opposing linemen with his bull rush, which often leaves them stunned and unable to block effectively. The Browns' rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo will have his hands full against the veteran defensive end, who is known for being unstoppable even in his ninth season.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle stated that Garrett's presence has taught Trapilo valuable lessons about blocking top pass rushers. While it wasn't a smooth process against Crosby, Watt, and Parsons, the rookie has shown enough poise to feel confident heading into this matchup.
Trapilo will face an added challenge, as Garrett is almost un-blockable when left one-on-one with him. The Browns' defense aims to isolate him from help by employing creative chip blocks and double-teams.
In contrast to other opponents who have struggled to contain Garrett, the Bears are expected to come up with innovative solutions to counter his dominance. Coach Johnson emphasized that this game is crucial for Chicago's playoff ambitions, making it a high-stakes showdown between two seasoned passers and their respective lineups.
A significant hurdle stands between the Chicago Bears and their quest for a crucial victory on Sunday: elite pass rusher Myles Garrett, who is leading the league with 20 sacks this season. This week's game at Soldier Field presents an ideal opportunity for Garrett to shatter the NFL single-season sack record, currently held by Aaron Donald and Von Miller.
Caleb Williams, the Bears' quarterback, has seen a string of Hall of Fame pass rushers in his first 13 games, including Aidan Hutchinson, Maxx Crosby, Cam Jordan, T.J. Watt, and Micah Parsons. However, he's managed to limit damage from these players with some rare awareness, agility, and decision making. Nevertheless, Williams is now set to face the toughest test of all: Garrett, who has dominated with his unique combination of size, strength, and speed.
The Browns' defense employs a "wide nine" scheme that often sets Garrett up outside the pocket before the snap, where he can reach the quarterback quickly. Bears coach Ben Johnson called this defense "desperately" necessary for their playoff hopes, as the team aims to secure 11 wins. The Packers, 49ers, and Lions are upcoming opponents who will pose significant challenges for Chicago.
Garrett has consistently outmaneuvered opposing linemen with his bull rush, which often leaves them stunned and unable to block effectively. The Browns' rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo will have his hands full against the veteran defensive end, who is known for being unstoppable even in his ninth season.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle stated that Garrett's presence has taught Trapilo valuable lessons about blocking top pass rushers. While it wasn't a smooth process against Crosby, Watt, and Parsons, the rookie has shown enough poise to feel confident heading into this matchup.
Trapilo will face an added challenge, as Garrett is almost un-blockable when left one-on-one with him. The Browns' defense aims to isolate him from help by employing creative chip blocks and double-teams.
In contrast to other opponents who have struggled to contain Garrett, the Bears are expected to come up with innovative solutions to counter his dominance. Coach Johnson emphasized that this game is crucial for Chicago's playoff ambitions, making it a high-stakes showdown between two seasoned passers and their respective lineups.