Andre Dillard Faces Biggest Test Yet

Eagles rookie left tackle will likely see plenty of elite Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack on Sunday

USA Today

It’s been mostly a series of pop quizzes for Eagles rookie left tackle Andre Dillard. Now it is time for a major test.

The Chicago Bears visit Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday (1 pm/FOX) and will have noted game-wrecker Khalil Mack in tow. Mack lines up all over the field as an outside linebacker in the Bears’ 3-4 defensive alignment, but there is blood in the water with Dillard making just his third career start.

The Eagles are fully expecting to see Mack line up often against Dillard, who will make his third career start in place of injured Jason Peters (knee).

“I would expect that in this game,” said Pederson. “We are anticipating that. They do move him around on both edges and also inside. Something that's a little different with them, just trying to utilize his strengths as a pass rusher.

“Andre has played well the last two games. This will be probably the biggest challenge and biggest test for him in his young career. He's had a great week. He prepares. He studies the tape and he'll be ready.”

Dillard’s first start game in Dallas against veteran Robert Quinn, who has six sacks this season and 75 in his career. One of those came against Dillard in that game two weeks ago. Otherwise, Dillard did OK.

Last week in Buffalo, Dillard went up against another veteran in Bills rusher Jerry Hughes, who has 48.5 career sacks. Hughes didn’t beat Dillard, but his backup, fourth-year defensive end Shaq Lawson, did.

“I think there were things that I improved upon from (his first start) to (his second start), for sure,” said Dillard following the Eagles 31-13 win over the Bills. “I’m using my hands better.”

Dillard is also excelling in the run game, an area of the game that was a question mark after he was drafted No. 21 overall because he played at Washington State, which throws the ball much more often than it runs the ball.

Well, he was part of an effort that saw the Eagles run for 218 yards in Buffalo, the most ever in four years under Pederson.

“It comes with the days of practice, days of experience and it can only go up from here,” said Dillard. “I love how much we ran (against the Bills). I was having fun out there.”

That is one thing than can neutralize a pass rush, obviously, is by running the ball.

If the Eagles can do that again successfully on Sunday, Dillard may very well ace this Mack test.