The left tackle of the Chicago Bears could be the driving force behind a victory over the Detroit Lions.
When the Detroit Lions face off against the Chicago Bears, it will showcase two teams on contrasting trajectories. The Bears are regaining their health at a crucial juncture, while the Lions are focused on surviving the upcoming weeks and recovering in preparation for the playoffs.
A pivotal factor for the Chicago Bears is the performance of their left tackle, Braxton Jones. Although PFF grades provide only a partial picture, Jones boasts a commendable 68.7 overall grade, with a solid 65.2 in run blocking and an impressive 81.6 in pass protection. In comparison, Larry Borom, who played eight games, had a lower overall grade at 48, with 50.3 in run blocking and 45.2 in pass protection. Clearly, the Bears' offense significantly benefits from Braxton Jones' presence.
In the Week 11 matchup against the Lions, there was an improvement with Jones on the field, but his pass protection performance was subpar, which was disappointing given that Aidan Hutchinson primarily faced Darnell Wright. Jones had the task of blocking Charles Harris and Julian Okwara but didn't perform at his best.
This week, there's no room for such a lapse. The Lions are missing Alim McNeil, their second-best lineman after Aidan Hutchinson, which places a heavier burden on Hutchinson. With all the attention on Hutchinson, the other linemen must win their one-on-one battles.
These matchups may not be the most challenging of the season, but for someone like Braxton Jones aiming to establish himself as the Bears' left tackle of the future, he must prove that he can excel in these situations without requiring extra assistance. What will we witness from Jones this weekend? Will he take a significant step forward now that he's healthy, back in rhythm, and refreshed after the bye week? Or will he leave lingering questions about the left tackle position for the Bears?
| POLL | ||
9 DECEMBRE | 52 ANSWERS The left tackle of the Chicago Bears could be the driving force behind a victory over the Detroit Lions. Is the Bears O-Line the best part of the team this season? | ||
| Yes | 21 | 40.4 % |
| No | 31 | 59.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
