WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
After an energizing meeting with the leadership group and a great week of practice, the Bears are eager to establish the run against the Rams after being held to 63 yards on 28 carries (2.3 average) last week against the Colts.
They’ll get an opportunity to do that against a Rams defense that is 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (177.0 per game) and 28th in yards allowed per carry (5.1) and has allowed 137 or more rushing yards in each game this season.
Bears center Coleman Shelton, who started all 17 games for the Rams last season, at least won’t have to go up against Aaron Donald, the destructive eight-time All-Pro defensive tackle who retired. Shelton isn’t unfamiliar with Kobie Turner, Donald’s replacement, who led all rookies with nine sacks and had 16 quarterback hits as a nose tackle last season. He has one sack in three games this season.
The Bears are hoping to avoid having rookie quarterback Caleb Williams throw 53 passes, as he did against the Colts. He finished with 363 yards after throwing for 93 and 174 in his first two games, but the Bears had little offensive rhythm. They’ll likely need a running game to achieve that.
The return of wide receiver Keenan Allen figures to provide a boost. The Bears’ prized receiving corps of Allen, DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze has played just 25 of 216 offensive snaps this season — 11.6%.
WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL
The Rams will be without their two best receivers: Cooper Kupp (ankle), the MVP of Super Bowl LVI, and 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua (knee). But veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and coach Sean McVay are savvy enough to give even the Bears’ defense problems. McVay in particular will challenge the Bears’ discipline with his trademark pre-snap movement.
“We’ve got to do a good job with our alignments, our assignments and just making sure we have our feet on the ground ready to play,” Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington said.
Stafford had his best game of the season without Kupp and Nacua last week against the defending NFC champion 49ers. The longtime Lions quarterback completed 16 of 25 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for a season-best 105.6 passer rating.
Tutu Atwell, a 2021 second-round pick who was the Rams’ No. 3 receiver last season, has picked up the slack with big games against the Seahawks (six receptions, 119 yards) in Week 1 and the 49ers (4-93) last week. Bears All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson, burned by the Colts’ Alec Pierce for a 44-yard reception last week (although he also had an interception), will be eager to make amends if he gets that assignment.
The Bears are tied for 10th in points allowed (19.0 per game) and will be looking to get off to a faster start this week. They’re allowing 6.5 yards per play in the first half and 3.4 in the second.