Chicago Bears: 5 X-factor players for Week 8 vs. Saints

2. Akiem Hicks will make up for his bad game

One of the biggest surprises in last week’s loss was how undisciplined Akiem Hicks played. He committed an unbelievable four penalties. Additionally, there was another obvious roughing the passer penalty he committed that the officials somehow missed (he grabbed quarterback Jared Goff’s helmet and twisted his head).

Hicks had three penalties going into the game against the Rams. He more than doubled that total. Look for him to have a big bounceback game against the Saints. While the Saints rank seventh in points scored, they are 12th in turnovers so they’ll put the ball on the ground. The Bears’ defense will be tested but if they get clean hits they should be able to force some turnovers.

Hicks has to play a clean game. The defense cannot afford stupid penalties. Hicks gave the Rams multiple opportunities to extend drives and pick up easy yards. Those penalties resulted in easy touchdowns for Los Angeles. That cannot happen again and I don’t foresee that occurring in consecutive games.

Hicks is part of the trio I like to call the “Three Amigos.” Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn are the other two members. The three of them make an impressive pass rush. Hicks prevented good things from happening with his undisciplined play.

Look for him to correct that this week and wreak havoc on the Saints’ offensive line. That, in turn, helps the other two do their jobs as well. When the three are in sync they could be unstoppable. The defense in general and Hicks, in particular, got embarrassed last week and they look to make up for that this week.