The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 13 finds your 8-3 Chicago Bears as the #3 seed in the NFC Playoff race with a visit to the City of Brotherly Love on Black Friday to face the defending Super Bowl champs and #2 seed Philadelphia Eagles.
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 Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt. 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: Drew Dalman, C
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 28: Drew Dalman #52 of the Chicago Bears prepares to snap the ball during the second half of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 28: Drew Dalman #52 of the Chicago Bears prepares to snap the ball during the second half of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
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Just last week on Bears Over Beers I mentioned Dalman as my favorite OL addition this last off-season. While Joe Thuney has continued playing at an All-Pro level, Dalman has stabilized the Center position for the first time since the prime Roberto Garza years, who took over for Olin Kreutz. We are talking at least 10-15 seasons of mediocre Center. Cody Whitehair was a better Guard than Center but had issues snapping the ball. Hroniss Grasu, Sam Mustipher, Lucas Patrick and Coleman Shelton have each had their shots at the pivot for The Beloved in that timeframe. But it’s been a long time since we have seen the level of play we are seeing from Dalman this season, ranking in the top 5 of most Center metrics so far in 2025.
Week 13 will be his biggest test yet with 6’6”, 340+lb DT Jordan Davis and 6’3”, 315lb 3T Jalen Carter. Between those two players alone, Dalman will have to deal with immense size, insane athleticism, and some blue-chip talent to go with it. How he fares up front will be critical in determining how we move the ball on offense. Look for #52 on Black Friday to provide the biggest bargain of the day with his 3 year $42 million contract. If he can, Bears win. If not, Bears lose in my opinion.
Defense: Gervon Dexter Sr., DT
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 26: Gervon Dexter Sr. #99 of the Chicago Bears runs prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 26: Gervon Dexter Sr. #99 of the Chicago Bears runs prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Through the first 11 games of the season, Dexter has already tied his career high for TFL and FR and is 1 sack away from his career high (5). With 11.5 total sacks so far in his 2+ seasons, Big Dex has the same amount of career sacks as the aforementioned Jalen Carter, who was taken in the first round of the same draft, 9th overall, with the selection the Bears traded back from with the Eagles to then select RT Darnell Wright with the 10th selection. Dexter was taken 44 spots behind the Eagles’ DT, but the Bears were in need of a DT then and still need one now.
While I fully expect Dennis Allen to deploy Gervon at DE on occasion, I will be keying in on Dexter this week against the Eagles, who have arguably the best OL unit in the entire league when healthy. Granted, the Eagles OL is already down their All-Pro RT Lane Johnson, but Dexter’s performance will be key to slowing down Saquon and Hurts in the run game and getting after Hurts when he drops back to pass. If he can help Bears fans forget about missing out on the Pro Bowler and 2nd team All-Pro Jalen Carter with his play, it will not only make fans feel better about the infamous 2023 NFL Draft, but also dramatically increase Chicago’s chances of a Win this week.
Philadelphia Eagles
Offense: Saquan Barkley, RB
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles is pursued by Derrick Barnes #55 of the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles is pursued by Derrick Barnes #55 of the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Tying a career-low average per rush attempt, the former All-Pro is experiencing quite the dramatic dip in production for the 8-3 Eagles. With Bears leading tackler Tremaine Edmunds on IR and both of the other Bears starters at LB, in T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell, appearing unlikely to suit up again this week, it could be yet another week of the unheralded LBs D’Marco Jackson, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Ruben Hyppolite II (if he’s healthy) filling in for Chicago.
Considering the Steelers averaged over 5 yards per rush attempt against the surprisingly effective reserves a week ago, I expect an even more challenging task this week against the defending champs, specifically due to Saquon. If Barkley can eclipse at least 80 yards on the ground, something he’s only done thrice this season - all Wins, then I expect the Eagles to come away with the win. If Chicago can slow him down, the Bears have a fantastic chance at pulling the upset.
Defense: Jaelen Phillips, DE
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Jaelan Phillips #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles pressures Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Jaelan Phillips #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles pressures Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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A few weeks ago, when the Eagles played the Packers, I kept noticing #50 for Philly wreaking havoc against both the run and pass from his DE spot. It took me a little while to remember the Dolphins traded away the former 1st rounder before the trade deadline to the defending champs. Phillips, in my eyes, has revitalized the Eagles’ Defense and helped them limit the Packers and Lions to 26 total points, where he accounted for 11 total tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, and 4 QBH with multiple pressures. In the loss against the rival Cowboys last week, Phillips had not a single tackle and only 1 QBH.
Chicago needs to mitigate this new addition in order to stand a chance this week. Make no mistake about it, Phillips can make an impact against the run as well as the pass, so tackles Darnell Wright and whoever starts at LT between Theo Benedet and Ozzy Trapilo will have their hands full. Not just with Phillips, but the entire imposing Eagles DL. If they can manage to make Phillips a non-factor, I like Chicago’s chances. If not, it will be an especially dark Black Friday for Bears fans.
What about you? Which players on both sides will you be keying on this Black Friday? Let us know in the comments!
Recap from Week 12:
Bears O - DJ Moore, WR: 5 catches on 7 targets for 64 yards and 2 TDs. Best game of the season.
Bears D - Jaquan Brisker, S: 7 total tackles, 4 solo, with a game clinching PD.
Steelers O - Kenneth Gainwell, RB: 10 carries for 92 yards (9.2ypc) along with 6 catches for 30 yds and a TD.
Steelers D - Jalen Ramsey, S: Team high 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 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 o 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