Pernell McPhee climbs to elite status in NFL

The 2015 season has been a rollercoaster ride for the Bears. Although there has only been five games played so far, the team’s 2-3 record best captures the Bear’s early progress. However, linebacker Pernell McPhee has been the most consistent part of season’s positives.

It took awhile for him to get going, but by the Bears’ third game against the Seahawks he found his fit within the defense. He harassed Russell Wilson for two sacks and notched seven total combined tackles, but Chicago would lose 26-0.

The team made sure that his production in the next two games would not go in vain. Against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4, McPhee was everywhere on the gridiron. He amassed eight combined tackles and picked off Derrick Carr on a pass that should have been caught by an Oakland running back.

In Week 5, McPhee wasn’t as dominant but he made the clutch play that helped fuel a Chicago comeback win over the Kansas City Chiefs. During a field goal try late into the game, he was able to slap the kick back onto the turf before it traveled far through the air.

The Bears would go on to win the game 18-17, on a last minute touchdown throw via Jay Cutler.

For his efforts, McPhee has been named to the NFL’s “Top Defensive Players not named J.J. Watt” list.