The Bears will host the L.A. Rams this Sunday to cap off the divisional round of the playoffs-which many fans deem the best weekend of the NFL season. The winner will advance to the NFC championship game next week. The forecast is predicting one of the coldest game in Bears playoff history (high of 18, low of 7, 16 mph winds). The Bears are fresh off of their first playoff win in over 15 years, and against the Packers in dramatic fashion to add to the significance. That was an extremely emotional comeback win, but the team now has its sights set on the Rams.
Sean McVay’s squad went 12-5 this year and was regarded by many as the best team in the NFL for a large chunk of the season. Though they have the 2nd-best Super Bowl odds, they are coming off a scare last week in the Wild Card Round in Carolina, requiring a go-ahead touchdown with under a minute remaining to secure the victory.
The Rams scored the most points in the NFL during the regular season, in addition to accumulating the most yards. Their offense ranks first on PFF.com by a wide margin. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has refused father time and put up the best season of his career this year, throwing for 46 touchdowns (1st in NFL by a wide margin-2nd: Jared Goff, 34), and only 8 interceptions. He is the MVP frontrunner. Interestingly, Stafford is 1-9 in games played in under 30 degrees. We will see if he’s able to buck this trend.
Health-wise, the Bears lost two starters last week to serious injuries; linebacker T.J. Edwards and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Luckily, LT Theo Benedet and LB D’Marco Jackson are both capable fill-ins. CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson will return after missing last game due to concussion protocol. As for the Rams, Matt Stafford roughed up his finger last week in Carolina, but is reportedly good-to-go.
Keys to the Game
Bears
- Show up in the First Half
The Bears have been outscored 34-3 in the first half of their last two games. If this trend continues this week, it will be their last. Chicago can’t afford to get down 2-3 scores at halftime like last week; the Rams offense is just too good. I expect L.A. to move the ball at will, so the Bears need for this to be a higher scoring shootout style game if they have a chance. In those types of games, you need to have your foot on the pedal from whistle to whistle.
- Unleash Caleb
Ben Johnson must unleash Caleb Williams this week. Unless the weather plays a significant role, I see Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and the Rams scoring a lot of points this Sunday. If you’re Johnson, you need to empty the toolbag. All of those plays you’ve been saving up all year: now is the time. The Bears must use everything at their disposal.
In addition, Caleb Williams will need to have another big game if the Bears are going to triumph. The Rams have allowed 26 passing touchdowns to only 8 rushing touchdowns this season, so scores will need to come through the air. While the temperature might lend itself to a more run-heavy game script on both sides, I would still feel comfortable putting the game into Williams’ hands.
Rams
- Pick Apart Injured Secondary
As long as the winds aren’t too strong, the Rams would stand to benefit from targeting Chicago’s secondary. Though the big-time guys-Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon-have returned from injury, neither has made it back to game speed yet. Last week in the second half, the Packers were clearly targeting Gordon-who was playing in only his 4th game of the season. The one cornerback who hasn’t had injury issues this year, Nahshon Wright, is inherently a boom-or-bust player. He makes amazing plays, but gets “got” almost just as frequently. The presumed MVP, Stafford, along with his star-studded receivers room should be able to pick the Bears secondary apart.
Just to emphasize the power of the L.A. wide receivers: Puka Nacua is insane. He has 21 catches, 406 yards, and 2 TDs over his last two games. He finished the regular season 1st in the league in receptions and 2nd in receiving yards. His counterpart Davante Adams is more of a red zone specialist at this point in his illustrious career. He finished the season with the most receiving TDs in the NFL (14). Adams is lethal in the endzone.
- Protect the Ball
Chicago has had a massive advantage this season in turnover differential. If the Rams can take this away from them, their chances of victory drastically increase. The Bears have a record of 3-6 when they record less than 2 takeaways. Stafford has only thrown 8 interceptions this year, which is towards the lower end. As simple as it is, the ability for L.A. to protect the football is likely to have a significant effect on the outcome of this game.