Chicago Bears: 5 Bold predictions for Week 1 vs. Lions

2. Mack has the beginning of a monster season

No one had a more frustrating season in 2019 than Khalil Mack. He started off great, recording 4.5 sacks in his first four games. Then defensive end Akiem Hicks went down and only played a half of a game the rest of the way and his fellow pass rusher, Leonard Floyd, couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag all season.

Because of that, Mack faced a sea of humanity blocking his path to the quarterback. While he finished among the leaders in quarterback hurries. His sack number went down, though. Since he had to go through so many blockers, he got to the quarterback fewer times. He only recorded four sacks in his last 12 games. His 8.5 sacks were the fewest since his rookie season.

The Bears spent a lot in terms of both money and draft capital to acquire Mack. They want to make sure he’s able to do what he’s been able to do throughout his career. Hicks is healthy now, and the team jettisoned Floyd out of Chicago.

They signed another All-Pro pass rusher, Robert Quinn, to help Mack. Now Mack doesn’t have to face double or triple teams constantly. If teams do that, Quinn has the ability to create havoc of his own. Additionally, Hicks will get his turns at hitting the quarterback.

Mack has always been an amazingly hard worker. He prepares for a season as if he was an undrafted rookie trying to make the team. This season he’s working even harder. Despite making another Pro Bowl, he didn’t have a typical season for him. Now, there are whispers that perhaps 2019 was the beginning of Mack’s decline.

He wants to show that thinking that is a big mistake. He’s ready to show he’s still among the best players in the league. That starts with the Detroit Lions in Week 1.

Prediction: Mack finishes with 3 sacks and 5 tackles.