This is the most important aspect to watch for in the Bears-Giants game
The Bears are facing off against the New York Giants in a pivotal matchup between two 2-1 teams. The winner in this game will have a great shot at making the playoffs in the NFC. Indeed, teams that start the year 3-1 have made the playoffs 85% of the time in the history of the NFL.
With that being said, the biggest key for the Bears in order to win the game will be to try to neutralize Giants' RB Saquon Barkley. He has been struggling with injuries in the past few seasons, but he looks better than ever through 3 weeks this season.
Here is what Bears writer Larry Mayer had to say on the subject:
Early this season, the Giants' star running back has reverted to the Pro Bowl form he displayed before tearing his ACL during the second week of the 2020 season when he was tackled by Bears safety Eddie Jackson in a game at Soldier Field.
Barkley entered Week 4 leading the NFL in rushing with 317 yards and two touchdowns on 53 carries. With 91 receiving yards, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft out of Penn State also tops the league with 408 yards from scrimmage.
"He has big thighs, he has great contact balance, he can hit home runs, so he can take it the distance," said defensive coordinator Alan Williams. "The one thing that I do see that maybe I am not sure that I saw years ago, they feed him in the ball in the passing game also. So, he's well improved there, and [defenses] try to bring pressure and he blocks. He's a complete back."
After allowing 176 and 203 yards rushing in their first two games versus the 49ers and Packers, respectively, the Bears were much stouter against the Texans last weekend, yielding just 92 yards on the ground. They'll need a similar effort Sunday versus Barkley and a Giants run game that ranks fourth in the NFL.
Barkley entered Week 4 leading the NFL in rushing with 317 yards and two touchdowns on 53 carries. With 91 receiving yards, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft out of Penn State also tops the league with 408 yards from scrimmage.
"He has big thighs, he has great contact balance, he can hit home runs, so he can take it the distance," said defensive coordinator Alan Williams. "The one thing that I do see that maybe I am not sure that I saw years ago, they feed him in the ball in the passing game also. So, he's well improved there, and [defenses] try to bring pressure and he blocks. He's a complete back."
After allowing 176 and 203 yards rushing in their first two games versus the 49ers and Packers, respectively, the Bears were much stouter against the Texans last weekend, yielding just 92 yards on the ground. They'll need a similar effort Sunday versus Barkley and a Giants run game that ranks fourth in the NFL.
I agree that if the Giants have to play with Daniel Jones carrying the load of the offense, this should bode well for the Bears. Not to mention that the Giants are missing their 3 best receivers...
Latest 10 stories
