The Miami Dolphins aren't to be taken lightly this Sunday. They're an NFL team and things can happen on any given Sunday. Still, it's hard not to feel like if the
Chicago Bears plays anywhere close to the level they did two weeks ago against Tampa Bay, they should have that game in the bag. It comes down to the defense, and especially Khalil Mack.
There's no question the star pass rusher has become an instant celebrity in Chicago since the blockbuster trade to get him. Some even already see him as some sort of superhero who's come to rescue the franchise in its darkest hour. Romantic visions aside, there's no debating that Mack is a game-changing talent.
Will he be the one to wreak the most havoc in Miami though? Based on recent comments and an overview of the matchups, it might be the wiser choice to bet money on defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. Everything points towards him having the big day, and not Mack.
Akiem Hicks has the far better matchup over Khalil Mack
There's every reason to think Mack should have another good game. Dolphins right tackle Ja'wuan James is hardly the cream of the NFL crop. He can best be called an average player at this point and some felt he should've been traded this past offseason. However, on paper, there's no question that the man who boasts the best matchup advantage of the week is Hicks.
Miami has a number of problems on offense but nowhere is it clearer than their interior offensive line. Their two starting guards of Ted Larsen and Jesse Davis have been weak points all season. Combined they've allowed 18 total pressures on Ryan Tannehill including four sacks and five hits. Geno Atkins ate them both for breakfast last week for two sacks.
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Hicks already has three sacks and five hits on opposing quarterbacks through four weeks and he didn't even finish the game against Tampa Bay after being ejected. He no doubt is carrying a chip on his shoulder going into Miami and those two are unlucky enough to be the first in his path. Considering he'll have Mack and Eddie Goldman on his flanks, it could be a monster afternoon.
If the Dolphins are smart, they won't leave him single-blocked for too long. For all the hype Mack gets, Hicks did have 9.5 sacks in 2017. It's not like he was a slouch as a pass rusher before his new teammate arrived.
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