Whereas the Chicago Bears’ offense will get all the eye, it’s their protection that has began the season as among the best models within the NFL. They’re prime 5 in defensive EPA per play allowed and fourth in defensive EPA per dropback allowed, and so they nonetheless stay a stable run defending unit. One among their core gamers is nickelback Kyler Gordon, who’s a ball of chaos within the slot. He has 33 tackles and three tackles for loss on the season, showcasing his development and growth into one of many prime nickels within the sport.
What stands out watching Gordon is that he’s unafraid of blending it up within the run sport. As many instances as offenses wish to run at cornerbacks through duo and pin and pull schemes, Gordon throws his physique in with reckless abandon to make huge performs. Jacksonville tried him a number of instances within the run sport, and you may see his instincts on full show. On this run, he beats the receiver to the spot, getting a deal with for loss. His means to slender his physique and ensure he doesn’t get touched, whereas additionally closing flat down the road to make this TFL. Kyler-Man can do all of it.
Gordon has such good timing as a blitzer from the bottom, taking nice angles and ending off performs with violent intentions. You all the time need to account for Gordon within the run sport, as a result of any time that he’s near the road of scrimmage, you possibly can consider he’s going to make a play. Once more, one other run away from Gordon, however the Bears can slant their line of defense to that aspect, figuring out he could make a play from the bottom, like they do right here.
The aggression and physicality additionally stand out within the passing sport on screens. Gordon is a bully, utilizing his play power to make sick performs on fast sport and screens. Once more, he simply raises hell on protection and that’s tremendous cool. Jacksonville is attempting to run an arrow display screen for Evan Engram through movement, and with the Bears displaying a stress look they’re outnumbered to that aspect 3 to 2. This must be a simple pickup for Jacksonville, however watch Gordon on this play. He dips below the block by Brian Thomas Jr and forces Engram to decelerate, nonetheless making the deal with wanting the sticks. The Bears have been undermanned on this play, however nonetheless discovered a option to get it completed, due to their pleasant neighborhood Kyler-Man.
Gordon and the Bears have a bye week this week, however come again after the bye towards Washington in a battle of rookie QBs. Gordon and the highest flight Bears protection must be on level in the event that they wish to stroll out with a win.
