The Chicago Bears are moving on in the playoffs after a gritty 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers, and while the offense did its part, the defense told a tale of two halves. Dennis Allen’s group started shaky, surrendering 21 points on three straight possessions.
But after halftime? It was a different story.
The Bears’ defense locked in, forcing four consecutive punts and flipping the momentum when it mattered most.
That second-half surge was fueled by the Bears’ pass rush, and two names stood out: Montez Sweat and Austin Booker. According to Pro Football Focus, Sweat led the charge with seven quarterback pressures, while Booker added five of his own - including the team’s lone sack of the game. That kind of disruption doesn’t just show up on the stat sheet - it changes the rhythm of an opposing offense.
Now, as Chicago gears up for a showdown with the Rams, all eyes turn to Booker. The second-year edge rusher is stepping into a massive role, and he might just be the X-factor the Bears need to keep their postseason run alive.
The challenge? Slowing down a Rams offense that’s been humming behind one of the league’s more reliable offensive lines.
Left tackle Alaric Jackson has only allowed four sacks all season and posted a solid 74.5 pass-blocking grade. On the other side, right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. has been equally steady, giving up just one sack in 455 pass-blocking snaps across 11 games, including the playoffs.
And then there’s Matthew Stafford - the league leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He’s been dealing from the pocket, and the Rams’ line has done a good job keeping him clean. That’s where Booker comes in.
Sweat, who led the Bears with 10 sacks during the regular season, will undoubtedly be the focal point of L.A.’s protection scheme. That means Booker could find himself with more one-on-one opportunities - and if he can replicate the kind of pressure he brought against Green Bay, the Bears might have a real shot at rattling Stafford.
Dennis Allen certainly likes what he’s seeing from the young pass rusher.
“I think he continues to get better each and every week,” Allen said. “I know I've said this before, but the thing that I like about that player is his toughness, his grittiness, his tenacity. He plays extremely hard on every single play, and I think that's what allows him to be effective.”
Booker’s been heating up at just the right time. He closed the regular season with five sacks, four of them coming in the final four games. That’s the kind of late-season surge that can carry over into the playoffs - and the Bears are going to need every bit of that momentum against a high-powered Rams offense.
If Booker can bring the heat again this weekend, it could be the difference between advancing or heading home. The Bears’ defense found its footing in the second half against the Packers. Now it’s time to see if they can keep that fire burning in L.A.