Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald Set to Square Off in Matchup of League's Best Defenders
Donald leads the league in sacks at 16.5, while Mack is the league's highest paid defender
By James Neveau ••
While plenty of attention will be paid this week to the matchup between Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, there is another pair of talented players that deserve the national spotlight.
When the two teams take the field on Sunday Night Football, the Bears will roll out a defense that includes one of the most complete players in the game, as linebacker Khalil Mack will look to help slow down an impressive Rams offense.
Mack, who has missed two games this season, still has nine sacks, five forced fumbles, and four defended passes, and he also has a defensive touchdown on the year, making him one of the league’s most dangerous defenders.
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Allen Robinson #12 of the Chicago Bears makes a catch during the second quarter while defended by B.W. Webb #23 of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants leaps over Adrian Amos #38 of the Chicago Bears for extra yardage during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears is tackled by Grant Haley #34 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears is pushed out of bounds by Michael Thomas #31 of the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears catches a first down pass against Landon Collins #21 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Mitchell Trubisky of the Chicago Bears talks with Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants after the game at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Anthony Miller #17 of the Chicago Bears celebrates his touchdown in the final seconds of regulation play with teammates Bobby Massie #70 and Josh Bellamy #15 to force overtime against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 02: Sterling Shepard #87 of the New York Giants misses a pass in overtime as Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears defends at MetLife Stadium on December 02, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
It isn’t often that Mack is potentially overshadowed by another defensive standout, but he may have met his equal in Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. After being held without a sack in the team’s first three games of the season, Donald has been an absolute monster in the team’s last nine games, racking up a league-high 16.5 sacks and a total of 20 tackles for loss, and he has also forced four fumbles in 12 games this season.
Both the Rams and Bears are skilled in keeping their quarterbacks upright, as they both rank in the top 10 in the league in sacks allowed this season, but both offensive lines will be tasked with big challenges as a result of the dominating performances of Mack and Donald. Both players have the ability to quicken a quarterback’s decision making, and if both are on their game, then there could be some serious fireworks on the lakefront.
