Khalil Mack wrecks Pack for half, but Bears fall short Shook, Nick Khalil Mack shined in his debut game with the Chicago Bears. He singlehandedly tormented Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and his replacement, DeShone Kizer, who entered after Rodgers left with a knee injury. ...read more
I like what Mack said after the game, that he was NOT satisfied with his own performance and that he needs to do a lot more work to get better and faster. Sounds like a humble guy. Khalil Mack wasn't satisfied with Bears debut ByMatt Eurich 68 minutes ago 0 x Khalil Mack was everything he was advertised to be in his first game with the Chicago Bears in Week 1. While the Bears were unable to hold onto a 20-0 lead, Mack still played an incredible game. What was even more impressive with Mack is he missed all of training camp and the preseason with the Oakland Raiders before he was traded to the Bears on September 1. In just over a week he found himself on the field playing 70 percent of snaps on defense after just a handful of practice opportunities. Mack dominated early in the game. He easily pushed back right tackle Bryan Bulaga toward quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his first snap and then drew a holding penalty on his second snap. After Rodgers went down with an injury, Mack feasted on second-year quarterback DeShone Kizer. First, Mack ripped the ball right out of Kizer's hands on a strip sack which resulted in the former Defensive Player of the Year coming away with the fumble recovery. With Chicago sitting on a 13-0 lead near the end of the first half, Mack struck again. Kizer was pressured by defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris and tried connecting on a screen pass which was picked off by Mack. The talented pass-rusher then rumbled his way into the end zone for his first touchdown as a Bear. Despite that productivity early, Mack was not happy with his overall performance. “Gotta get better,” Mack said, via JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago. “Gotta get way better, especially down the stretch being in a position to win the game and sack, fumble, just like they did on the other side of the ball. It’s one of those things for me. I’m learning from everything. Yeah, I had a few positives, but it’s a lot of negatives.” If Mack mentioned after the game he thought he played well and felt good moving forward, no one would question him. But since he has shown a humble side, Mack has been able to make himself even more likable to a fan base that walked away impressed by what Mack did on the field. His ability to get after the quarterback is unquestioned but it was also obvious he was not at 100 percent with his conditioning. Mack worked out throughout the offseason but replicating game action is not easy to do until someone is actually on the field. It will also continue to take a little more time before he gets completely comfortable in this scheme. Want to keep up with the Bears ahead of their showdown against Seattle? Take a second to sign up for our FREE Bears newsletter! Take a second to sign up for our FREE Bears newsletter! Mack was flat out dominant at times against the Packers on Sunday night in his first appearance in a Bears uniform. Once he gets completely up to speed and 100 percent conditioned for the regular season there is no telling how good he can be on a weekly basis in Chicago.
Now that's the attitude of someone who will push it, honestly assessing his second half play. I think he's going to be a cornerstone of this defense for quite a while.
