The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 15 finds your 9-4 Chicago Bears as the #7 seed after a loss to the Packers and needing a win to keep pace for the playoffs. This week, a hobbled
but dangerous Cleveland Browns squad comes to town in what should be single-digit temperatures and a defensive battle.
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. It’s not always about the quarterback or superstar defensive players like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Importance is all relative, and while the “star” players are obviously important each week, this series will also highlight some of the other guys.
Because let’s face it, often, the unsung players are just as critical to the team’s success.
Here are the players that I will be keyed in on in this one.
Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears!
Offense: Ozzy Trapilo, LT
Despite getting starter reps in the preseason after an encouraging training camp, the 2nd round pick out of Boston College did not get his first NFL start until week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trapilo has started each game since, and the Bears have gone 2-1 and averaged 25 points per game while facing 3 of the top pass rushing units in the entire league. Teams that included TJ Watt, Jaelan Phillips and Micah Parsons.
This week Trapilo is tasked with protecting Caleb Williams against one of the most decorated sack artists of all time in future 1st ballot Hall of Famer Myles Garrett. Needing only 3 sacks to break the single-season all-time sack record of 22.5 held by Michael Strahan and TJ Watt, Garrett will be licking his chops going against a rookie this week.
However, what Trapilo may lack in run-blocking, he makes up for in pass-blocking and was even rated as the Bears’ top pass-blocker last week against the Packers. If Trapilo can keep Garrett and the Browns’ stout defense from wrecking the game, Chicago should run away with this one. But if Garret has a signature game in Chi-Town we might see more records drop than the all-time sack record in this one.
Defense: Grady Jarrett, DT
After signing a massive 3-year, $43.5 million contract this off-season to fill the hole next to Gervon Dexter Sr. at DT, Jarrett immediately had massive expectations placed on him when he stepped foot in Halas Hall. To say he had been a disappointment to start his Bears career would be an understatement. But was it due more to health than deteriorating ability? The last 4 games have started to sway me on that question as Jarrett has continued to make plays in both the run and pass games each week.
Against the Browns this week, with their two starting Guards and starting Center injured and against a rookie QB who is not the most athletic, Jarrett will have his chance to earn some of that salary, hopefully notching his 1st (!) sack of the season. Additionally, the Browns are a team that typically leans on the run game, which means Jarrett will have ample opportunities to make plays in the run game as well.
With RB2 Dylan Sampson ruled out this week, expect an insanely heavy dose of former Ohio State Buckeye Quinshon Judkins, who also happens to lead all rookie RB in rushing yards. If Jarrett and the DL can hold the rookie-led offense in check, Chicago might not need to score more than 10 points this week. But if Shadeur Sanders, Quinshon Judkins and this next rookie can continue to impress, it could be the trap game everyone expects it to be.
Cleveland Browns
Offense: Harold Fannin Jr., TE
Of all the rookies the Cleveland Browns drafted this season, the former Bowling Green Falcon might just be the biggest surprise of the year. Though he was drafted in the 3rd round, which is very solid for a TE, Fannin Jr. immediately carved out a role in the offense and continues to impress as both a blocker, catcher and runner after the catch.
Fannin Jr. leads the team in targets, catches, yards and receiving TDs on the year, joining Trey McBride, Brock Bowers and Travis Kelce as the only TEs across the entire league to lead his team in every receiving category. Additionally, he leads all TEs in forced missed tackles this season. To do all that as a rookie is exceptional. Suffice it to say, #44 for Cleveland is not getting anywhere near the publicity he deserves. If he can continue to get open and break tackles, he will extend drives and keep the Browns close. If Shadeur can’t find his fellow rookie or the Bears are able to cover the Bowling Green product, Cleveland should stall out on offense.
Defense: Carson Schwesinger, LB
Though with his helmet off he may look like the eldest brother in Chronicles of Narnia, the 6’3”, 242lb rookie 2nd rounder from UCLA more closely resembles current Bear Tremaine Edmunds or Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly on the field of play. Already relaying in play calls for the Browns, “Schwedge Head” is a bonafide playmaker with excellent instincts, crazy athleticism and plenty of “thump” to his game in what is shaping up to be a Defensive Rookie of the Year season.
Schwedge Head leads the team in total tackles (both solo and assisted), tied for INT and also has a FF, FR and TD in addition to 10 TFL and 1.5 sacks. Will he be relied upon to spy Caleb Williams, blitz or drop into coverage? I expect a healthy dose of all of the above this week for the versatile playmaker. If Ben Johnson can gameplan around Myles Garrett and Caleb can avoid this rookie phenom, Chicago should have no problem putting up points in a win. If #49 wrecks the Bears, all bets are off. Watching how Browns DC Jim Schwartz deploys him will be fascinating for me to watch.
What about you? Aside from Myles Garrett, who will you be focusing on against the Browns? Let us know in the comments!
Recap from Week 14:
Bears O – D’Andre Swift, RB: 13 carries for 63 yards (4.8avg) and 3 catches for 13 yards. 0 TDs.
Bears D – Jaylon Johnson, CB: Only 2 tackles.
Pack O – Zach Tom, RT: Helped GB gain 337 yards and 4 TDs while only allowing 1 sack as a team.
Pack D – Quay Walker, LB: 9 tackles, 3 solo.
Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:
Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L
Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L
Week 3: Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor. W
Week 4: Swift, Brisker, Jeanty, Chinn – I’d say we went 2-2 here and barely squeaked away with the win. W
Week 6: Benedet, Spidey, Deebo, Payne – Split at a minimum, but I say 75% in our favor. W
Week 7: Burden, Byard, Shaheed, Werner – Easily secured 3/4 of these for the win that was not as close as the score would indicate. W
Week 8: Loveland, Billings, Henry, Roquan – 0/4 – L
Week 9: Monangai, Booker, Chase, Knight – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider Chase’s numbers. – W
Week 10: Benedet, Edmunds, Tracy Jr., Lawrence – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider 0 sacks allowed. – W
Week 11: Loveland, Sweat, Jones, Turner – 2/4 maybe. Went down to the wire. – W
Week 12: DJ, Brisk, Gainwell, Ramsey – 2/4, maybe 3/4 if you count Brisker’s game winning pass deflection. – W
Week 13: Dalman, Gervon, Saquon, Phillips – 3/4 though Phillips was close to doing more damage. – W
Week 14: Swift, Jaylon, Tom, Quay – 2/4 if not 1/4. Swift should have been featured more. – L
Looks like the collective eyes of Bears nation will be fixed on #75 for Chicago this week. If the rookie can continue to string together solid performances at LT for The Beloved, then the starting 5 OL for Chicago could be solved for the foreseeable future. But this week he will be challenged by one of the best to ever do it so no wonder why everyone will be watching him. Look for his run blocking to be key in this one as Cleveland is susceptible on the ground.
