The marquee matchup of Sunday’s Bears-Broncos game is one in which the two competitors will never go one-on-one against each other.
Khalil Mack and Von Miller will renew acquaintances on Sunday in what will be the latest chapter between two of the NFL’s best pass-rushers, where love and mutual respect will ultimately fuel each other’s fire this afternoon.
Mack has nothing but love for Miller, praising him and calling one of the best the game has to offer:
Game recognizes game.@FiftyDeuce calls @VonMiller a generational-type player, "one of the best in the game." pic.twitter.com/i4eScCKxrk
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 13, 2019
The Bears’ star pass-rusher went as far as to say that watching Miller helped raise his level of play simply by watching him. That means a lot coming from an All-Pro talent who wrecks opposing offensive game plans for breakfast, chews up quarterbacks for lunch, and devours anything coming out of the backfield for dinner. Game recognizes game in this matchup to be sure.
On the other side of the coin, the feeling is mutual from Miller.
“He’s a great player,” Miller said, via Cam Ellis of NBC Sports Chicago. “I know Khalil, he’s a friend of mine. He’s a great talent. THere’s not too much you can do throughout a whole game … he’s going to find a way to impact the game. You just can’t let those plays lose the game for you.”
The two faced off for years when Mack was with the Raiders, but this marks the first time he will face the Broncos as a member of the Bears. And this will be the first time Miller goes up against a Matt Nagy-coached Bears offense, though there is familiarity between the two that dates back to Nagy’s time with the Chiefs.
There is so much that will unfold as this game goes on, but my gut says Mack and Miller pushing each other with how they play on every defensive series in which they are on the field is a thing to keep an eye on this afternoon.