Alshon Jeffery got things started for the looming Chicago Bears playoff game against Philadelphia when he stated Chicago was a place where he worked. He later backtracked that statement, indicating he loved the city but never truly viewed the team as somewhere he belonged. At least not during his final three years there. Too late though. Not that it mattered because before long one of his teammates decided to double down.
Fletcher Cox is one of the best defensive tackles in the business. A truly dominant presence in the same mold as Aaron Donald. Over the final five weeks of the regular season when the Eagles needed him most, he delivered 6.5 sacks. So one can understand why he’s feeling extra confident lately.
So much in fact that he decided to pour more gasoline on the fire by stating without reservation that he believes the Eagles will have the better defense by the time the game ends on Sunday.
#Eagles Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox says the Birds Defense will outplay the Bears Defense on Sunday.. Take that Chicago!!! pic.twitter.com/oplk3dA8sp
— Garry Cobb (@GarryCobb) January 3, 2019
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Fletcher Cox isn’t wrong but he still gave the Bears defense extra incentive
It’s rather surprising how much the Eagles players have enjoyed talking this week compared to Bears players who have been all but silent about it. Perhaps this is the bravado born of being Super Bowl champs. Either way, it seems ill-advised for Cox to say such a thing considering how dominant the Bears defense has been lately. It’s not like they need extra motivation but when they get it, their opponents tend to pay heavy prices.
Now this is not to say he’s entirely wrong. There is a possibility that Philadelphia’s defense might outplay Chicago. Any given Sunday and all that. However, to say so outright and give the opponent extra incentive to prove you wrong is an awfully huge risk to take that has backfired many, many times in the past. Cox may be a great player, but it’s hard not to wonder if he did his team few favors saying that.
