Key Matchup: Chicago Bears Pass Rush Against the Raiders Offensive Line
Published by Jake Perper on November 26, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Bears defensive line didn’t put together a very good performance last week against San Diego.
They didn’t really get much pressure on Chargers QB Phillip Rivers until the fourth quarter.
Defensive end Israel Idonije led the defensive line with five tackles.
Amobi Okoye, Henry Melton, Stephen Paea and Corey Wootton all had one tackle each.
Julius Peppers was pretty quiet not showing up on the stat sheet.
He leads the Bears in sacks this season with six, but disrupts quarterbacks in other ways than that.
He gets pressures and hits on quarterbacks and those don’t show up on the box score after a game.
The defense has 18 sacks through 11 games, which ranks 26th in the NFL.
The Bears try not to blitz much, they really just put pressure on quarterbacks with their front four.
Peppers is the most consistent pass rusher on the defense, but others have stepped up at times.
Henry Melton (4.0 sacks) has been used as a defensive tackle and defensive end.
DE Israel Idonije has three sacks, Amobi Okoye has three sacks and Stephen Paea has one sack.
DE Corey Wootton is back to being healthy, and DE Chauncey Davis could be used this week after signing a couple of weeks ago.
The Bears need consistent pressure. That’s just how their defense succeeds.
They were able to win last week because the line stepped up in the fourth quarter, but Charles Tillman and other corners are vulnerable with no pressure added.
Will the Bears be able to get pressure on Carson Palmer?
The Raiders offensive line is fourth in the NFL in sacks allowed (15). But they’ve allowed seven sacks since Carson Palmer took over at quarterback four weeks ago.
The Vikings were able to get to Palmer four times last week, but he still had success threw the air tossing one touchdown and completing 17 of 23 passes.
The Raiders offensive line has allowed 45 quarterback hits, which ranks 13th in the NFL.
The Bears could have a tough time getting to Palmer with the line succeeding as of late for the Raiders.
The Raiders could be running the ball more than usual considering receivers Jacoby Ford, Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey could all be out.
Running back Darren McFadden has been ruled out for Sunday, and backup Taiwan Jones is also banged up with a hamstring injury.
Expect the Bears to use eight men in the box more often than none. Carson Palmer will be limited with offensive weapons if those three speed receivers can’t play.
Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy and T.J. Houshmandzadeh would be the Top 3 receivers.
The Bears should be able to contain running back Michael Bush and could be in luck with the speed receivers for the Raiders either being out or limited.
The defensive line wants to stop the run first, so Palmer will be forced to pass the ball.
Expect a solid mix of blitzes and eight men fronts for the Bears tomorrow in Oakland.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. He is also the Chicago Bears writer for NFLTouchdown.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com
