The Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams contest was always expected to be big. It is never boring when these two teams get together. This third matchup in three seasons could end up being the best of the bunch. Chicago is 5-1. Their best start in eight years. Los Angeles is 4-2, looking a lot like the team they were that went to the Super Bowl two years ago.
It looks like an even matchup on paper. Both teams have advantages they can exploit. It comes down to which one will make fewer mistakes. As has been the case in the last two meetings. So what might be different this time around? Here is an overview of where both sides sit ahead of Monday Night Football.
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Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams breakdown
Storylines:
Rubber match – This marks the third-straight season the two teams will lock horns. The Bears took the first one in Chicago, suffocating L.A. in a 15-6 win. Last season the shoe was on the other foot as the Rams delivered a 17-7 humiliation. Both defenses figure to control the action again. Which offense can make the fewest mistakes?
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Leonard Floyd revenge? – The Bears waited four seasons for Floyd to finally blossom as the pass rusher they felt he could be. Sadly it never happened. After just three sacks in 2019, they’d seen enough. They cut him and signed Robert Quinn to take his place. One can bet the former 1st round pick will be eager to send a message to his former team.
Injuries:
Darrell Henderson (thigh) – The Rams are a running football team. They love to pound the ball and use play action. So they have a stable of running backs they like to use. Henderson has easily been their most productive player at that position, leading the team with 348 yards rushing. He didn’t practice on Thursday. It would be a tough loss for that offense.
Buster Skrine (ankle) – The Bears’ pass defense has been outstanding to start this season. A huge part of why is their secondary which has provided steady, sometimes suffocating coverage. Skrine is a vital part of that formula with his work in the slot. Losing him for this game would be untimely, to say the least, given they’ll be seeing Cooper Kupp a lot.
Aaron Donald's strength gets crazier every week 💪 @AaronDonald97 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/a1N7TDRjAr
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 16, 2020
Key matchups:
Aaron Donald vs. Rashaad Coward – It isn’t a secret that Donald is the best defensive player in the NFL. He leads the league with 7.5 sacks and is an absolute terror inside. One can bet money the Rams will look to get him matched up on Coward who likely will be making just his second start at left guard in his career. That screams mismatch and the Bears better pray the kid doesn’t fold.
Jaylon Johnson vs. Robert Woods – Carolina really tried to pick on Johnson last week. No surprise given he’s a rookie. He made some mistakes but held up well enough. He will have another big challenge in L.A. against Wood, one of the smoother route runner in the NFL. Somebody that can give younger corners headaches with their array of setup moves.
X-factors:
Anthony Miller – It’s a virtual certainty that Jalen Ramsey will shadow Allen Robinson in this game. That means the other Bears receivers have to step up. The Rams have proven somewhat vulnerable over the middle and Miller had a solid game against them last year. He’s due for a big game after remaining silent the past couple of weeks.
Josh Reynolds – L.A. doesn’t tend to attack deep very often, but when they do it’s Reynolds who is the guy they are looking for. His mixture of size and deceptive speed make him a favorite target for Jared Goff. The Bears have done well limiting big plays this year but this is a guy they shouldn’t overlook. He had 55 yards against them last year.
Prediction: Bears win 17-14
One thing when these two teams get together is the games tend to be ugly. The Rams have had a ton of success smothering the Bears’ passing game in the past two meetings. This time though they’re facing the smarter and savvier Nick Foles. He’ll find a way into the end zone a couple of times. Chicago’s defense will have to stop the run, but if they do that pass rush could make life miserable for Goff. It’ll be close but the Bears do the job.