Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Setting up the Bears game
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September 24, 2024 at 4:35 pm #152364
wvParticipantBears are favored by 2.5 points. Some talkin heads have said they thought it was because the Rams will be emotionally drained from the 49er game. They ’emptied the tank.’
Bears injury report:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/injuries/_/name/chi/chicago-bears
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This topic was modified 2 months, 4 weeks ago by
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September 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm #152371
ZooeyModeratorI don’t think it works that way. I think talent and coaching matter more than emotions. I’ve seen a lot of emotionally jacked-up teams get rolled.
These next two games are going to be important. And this one may be the easier task than the following week against GB.
September 24, 2024 at 10:04 pm #152382ZooeyModeratorBTW – I don’t know where to put this thought – I’m surprised we haven’t seen more from D Robinson.
September 24, 2024 at 10:43 pm #152384
znModeratorI’m surprised we haven’t seen more from D Robinson
Look this way–turns out he was a good 2nd or 3rd guy with 10 or 17 on the field, but not so much a the 1st guy without them. That could mean, though, that that’s who defenses go into the game intending to take away,
September 25, 2024 at 12:37 am #152386ZooeyModeratorI’m surprised we haven’t seen more from D Robinson
Look this way–turns out he was a good 2nd or 3rd guy with 10 or 17 on the field, but not so much a the 1st guy without them. That could mean, though, that that’s who defenses go into the game intending to take away,
Makes sense. If I was a DC going into a game against the Rams, I would key on D Rob, and let the other WRs fall where they may.
Anyway, seems to me the Rams need to get one of the next two games, and I think the Bears are more beatable, so let’s start there.
September 25, 2024 at 9:11 am #152401wvParticipantI dunno if there is a stat on ‘close but missed sacks,’ but it seems like there’s been a lot of ‘almost’ sacks so far. They face another QB who can move, but I’m hoping for these young Dlinemen to not-miss this week.
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September 25, 2024 at 10:52 am #152402
nittany ramModeratorI dunno if there is a stat on ‘close but missed sacks,’ but it seems like there’s been a lot of ‘almost’ sacks so far. They face another QB who can move, but I’m hoping for these young Dlinemen to not-miss this week. w v
I’ve noticed that too. The Rams might lead the league in sacks of Verse and Fiske could just wrap up.
September 25, 2024 at 4:31 pm #152404ZooeyModeratorCaleb Williams has a passer rating of 65.3, placing him ahead of only Bo Nix, Anthony Richardson, and Bryce Young. FWIW.
Their ROT is dinged up (back), and questionable, as is Keenan Allen (heel). They appear to be pretty healthy otherwise.
Also, I have learned the Bears play in Chicago, so the Rams are going to have to go there for this game. It will be about 70° with a 37% chance of rain.
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September 26, 2024 at 8:38 am #152412wvParticipantThey talk about Bears linebackers, and say ‘what worked against the 49ers may not work against the Bears’….
Rams stuff starts bout 53 minute mark.
September 26, 2024 at 4:16 pm #152415znModeratorroberto clemente@rclemente2121can the rams pass defense keep c.williams from looking like rookie of the year this sunday? headed into week 4 the rams defense ranks:31 qb rating
32 pass yds / att
30 pass td %
29 % of 3rd passes converted into 1st downs
28 pff coverage rankSeptember 27, 2024 at 2:34 am #152419znModeratorRams-Bears Preview
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/rams-bears-preview/
CHICAGO (AP) Caleb Williams was always in awe watching Calvin Johnson make those highlight-reel catches in triple coverage for the Detroit Lions. Over time, something else also stood out to him.
“I got a little older and kind of realized how good Matthew Stafford is at his job,” Williams said.
Williams knows he can learn a few things from a quarterback such as Stafford, and he’ll get an up-close look when the Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in a game matching this year’s No. 1 draft pick against a two-time Pro Bowl selection with a Super Bowl ring.
Chicago (1-2) tries to get back to winning after losing two in a row, while the Rams hope to build on last week’s thriller over San Francisco.
Coming off a 31-point loss at Arizona, Los Angeles (1-2) rallied from 14 down in the second half and trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter before squeezing out a 27-24 win.
The Bears, meanwhile, have not won since they beat Tennessee in the opener at Soldier Field. Their revamped offense has not performed the way they envisioned, though Williams at least showed progress last week in a 21-16 loss at Indianapolis.
The former Heisman Trophy winner out of Southern California set a Bears rookie record with 363 yards passing and his first two touchdown throws.
Now, he’ll go against a quarterback who has thrown for nearly 57,000 yards over 16 seasons with Detroit and Los Angeles. Stafford’s resume includes a Super Bowl championship in 2021, his first season in Los Angeles.
“I think there’s a lot of respect for the toughness, the competitiveness of Matthew (and) the ability to always stay in the fight,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “Some of the different things in terms of how he’s beating you with his ability to be able to manipulate coverage through his eyes, understanding how to try to move defenders that are visual on him to open up and expand windows, you heard (Houston’s C.J.) Stroud talk about that as well.
“I just think it’s the mastery of some of the finer things about the position that those who play it really appreciate and understand.”
Williams certainly notices.
“He controls the game as a quarterback,” he said. “He knows how to get in and out of things efficiently. He knows where people are going to be. He knows where the defensive players are going to be, so he can move them on a string.”
The Bears could take some of the load off Williams by getting their run game going.
Chicago had 63 yards on 28 carries against Indianapolis. That’s down from 71 at Houston the previous week and 84 against Tennessee in Week 1.
Chicago is averaging 72.7 yards rushing, second-lowest in the NFL, after finishing second a year ago. Their leading rusher against the Colts was Roschon Johnson, with 30 yards after missing the first two games with an injury. D’Andre Swift, signed to a three-year deal, has just 68 yards and is averaging 1.8 per attempt in his first season in Chicago.
The Rams are feeling good about their offense after an upset victory over San Francisco without their top two receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
Stafford completed only 16 passes against the Niners, and no receiver had more catches than Tutu Atwell’s four. Los Angeles will attempt to get Demarcus Robinson more involved after he had just one catch. Kyren Williams could be more involved as a receiver out of the backfield after his three-TD day against San Francisco.
Williams has been sacked 13 times already this season behind a struggling line, and the Rams have a pair of budding pass rushers eager to add to that total while chasing a quarterback renowned at USC for his ability to extend plays.
Byron Young has two sacks and four tackles for loss so far in his sophomore NFL season, while rookie Jared Verse has four tackles for loss and one sack – and he would have a few more if he had finished a handful of plays after breaking through to apply pressure. For all the promise of that pass-rushing duo, the Rams have only four sacks as a team this season, fewer than all but two teams.
Williams could have all his top targets available with receiver Keenan Allen returning to practice this week.
The six-time Pro Bowler has been sidelined since the opener because of a heel injury. He caught four passes for 29 yards in his Chicago debut.
Allen is part of a potentially dangerous trio with DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze, who had his first 100-yard game last week with six catches for 112 yards and a TD.
The Rams have won three straight against Chicago – all in Los Angeles since a loss at Soldier Field in 2018. In 2021, Stafford made a triumphant Rams debut against the Bears, throwing for 321 yards and three touchdowns.
September 27, 2024 at 3:31 pm #152430wvParticipantSeptember 27, 2024 at 4:15 pm #152431znModeratorLos Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears | 2024 Week 4 Game Preview
September 27, 2024 at 4:18 pm #152432znModeratorIn this one, they do the Rams at about 6:40 in.
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In this one, he does the Rams at about 1:07 in.
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September 27, 2024 at 6:03 pm #152433znModeratorroberto clemente@rclemente2121time to end this ugly streak: not only are the rams 0-3 in their last 3 trips to soldier, but they didn’t score a single td as their qbs combined for 7 picks, 12 sacks, and a 33.8 qb rtg… in fact the rams are just 2-7 in their last 9 visits to soldier.September 27, 2024 at 6:23 pm #152436znModeratorAccording to Tallysight, 62% of experts are picking the Rams to win outright. A whopping 74% are taking them to cover the spread with the points, while 59% are picking the under at 41 points.
The Rams have yet to play a complete game this season, struggling early in each of their first three games before mounting comebacks against the Lions and 49ers. If they can get off to a good start in Chicago, it’ll make a victory much easier to come by and open up the playbook without being too pass-heavy.
A win over the Bears will move the Rams to 2-2, which would put them in a good spot after starting 0-2 and falling behind 14-0 against the 49ers last week.
September 27, 2024 at 8:04 pm #152437wvParticipantThis is a weird game. I dont really have a feel for it.
But….I just cant get past the injuries. Too many key injuries. And its on the road.
Granted, the Bears have the rookie QB. He’s not Purdy yet, or Goff.
I dunno.
Sigh.
Bears 20
Rams 17
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September 28, 2024 at 12:22 am #152438znModeratorThis is a weird game. I dont really have a feel for it. But….I just cant get past the injuries. Too many key injuries. And its on the road. Granted, the Bears have the rookie QB. He’s not Purdy yet, or Goff. I dunno. Sigh. Bears 20 Rams 17 w v
On the other side of the coin.
With both tackles back, the Rams can run the ball. Chicago is ranked 19th in run defense (measured by y.p.a.) and 18th in total yards allowed rushing.
The Rams run defense is a work in progress, to put it euphemistically, but Chicago has a terrible running offense, which is ranked 31st in y.p.a and 22nd in yards. Their passing game is ranked 30th and their total offense is ranked 22nd in points and 30th in yards.
The defense is much better. It’s top 10 in both points and yards.
I will say this. Stafford + McVay turn good receivers like Nacua and Kupp into great ones. But they also have the capacity to turn decent receivers like Robinson, Johnson, and Whittington into good ones. Plus as a I said with both tackles playing now, they can run the ball.
Though I don’t agree with your over-the-top, wild score prediction (Rams 170, Bears 20…way too over-optimistic) they do have a solid chance in this game.
September 28, 2024 at 5:02 am #152440znModeratorPFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
Kyren Williams has a strong TD opportunity vs. the Bears defense. Williams is tied for first in rushing touchdowns, which bodes well against a Chicago defense that ranks 25th in rushing TDs allowed to RBs.Ross Tucker Podcast@RossTuckerPod
@GregCosell breaks down what he thinks Caleb Williams needs to work on: “It’s clear that someone like Caleb Williams, well, he throws the ball beautifully… You can tell that he’s not really comfortable from the pocket, overall, and he’s not really sure what he sees right now.”HoldenCantor@HoldenCantor
Rams have allowed a WR to go crazy every week so far:Week 1 – Jameson Williams 121 yards 1 TD
Week 2 – Marvin Harrison Jr. 130 yards 2 TDs
Week 3 – Jauan Jennings 175 yards 3 TdsSeptember 28, 2024 at 2:01 pm #152444znModeratorBlaine Grisak@bgrisakTST
Rams need a big game from Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner this week.When under pressure this season, Caleb Williams has an EPA per dropback of -0.96 which is the 5th-worst in the NFL. The Bears iOL has been a huge weak spot. Have to generate that interior pressure.
The same lay-ups that the Rams found last week vs. 49ers may not work against the Bears.
If Rams go 12, Bears will match in base. Bears defense is best in the league in their base personnel.
Rams were heavy play-action last week. Bears defense best against play-action.
Would love to see the Rams offense utilize some jet sweeps this week and get Kyren Williams on the perimeter. On 37 rushes outside the tackles, the Bears have allowed 5.9 yards per play which is 4th-most. Have also allowed the third most yards after contact on such plays.
Rams Bros.@RamsBrothersThe Bears have the fewest yards per carry (2.5) and the second-fewest total rushing yards (160) on designed runs this season. They were 2nd in rushing yards per game and 6th in yards per carry just last year. Get a lead, force them to be one dimensional and pin your ears back.Gary Klein@LATimesklein
Rams activated WR/KR Xavier Smith and CB Ahkello Witherspoon to roster from practice squad, team announced.September 28, 2024 at 6:07 pm #152448wvParticipantBears lead series 54-39-3
First game was Cleveland Rams 2 – Chicago Bears 20, in 1937
First game of the LA Rams vs Chicago was in 1946 and ended in a 28-28 tie.
As ive said many times, my first realization that the Rams existed was on 12/8/68. On a black and white tv, at my grandmother’s house. Rams vs Bears. Fearsome Foursome. Gabriel. Brian Piccollo. Rams 16 – Bears 17. Bears have scared me ever since.
https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/los-angeles-rams/teamvsteam?opp=6
September 29, 2024 at 11:11 am #152450znModeratorBlaine Grisak@bgrisakTST
If the Rams can get pressure Caleb Williams, they can get him into ‘hero ball’ mode.Again, under pressure, Williams has an EPA per dropback of -0.96 which is the 5th-worst in the NFL.
The Bears QB has two fumbles and four INTs in three games.
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Rams in The Windy City to battle Caleb Williams and the Bears | Game Preview
J.B. Long
https://www.therams.com/news/rams-bears-game-preview-windy-city-battle-caleb-williams-week-4
For as many times as Matthew Stafford has faced the Chicago Bears – and he’s beaten them a dozen times, more than any other foe – this one stands apart.
It’s his first trip as a Ram to Soldier Field, where he’s won four in a row.
And the opposing franchise finally (and justifiably) believes they have their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams.
That’s nothing new for Stafford, who’s already collided with fellow top picks Jared Goff and Kyler Murray this month. But now he’s the oldest former No. 1, facing the youngest. In fact, according to ESPN, Sunday marks the biggest gap of years between top draft selections in two decades.
And it comes at a time when Stafford is still proving to be one of the NFL’s elite arms, further solidifying his Hall of Fame resume, and looking to guide the Rams out of an 0-2 start to the season and back into contention.
First order of business this week is starting faster. The Rams have trailed by at least two touchdowns in all three games, and have held a lead for fewer than 17 minutes, combined, all year. In that regard, they’re exceedingly fortunate to be 1-2 not 0-3.
The Bears are in the same boat. They’ve led for only seven minutes 35 seconds in 2024.
“I don’t think there is any magic solution,” head coach Sean McVay said on Tuesday. “When we’ve been really good, usually we play consistently well throughout the course of the game and that’s what we’re looking to do is just play cleaner, more consistent, [and] more fundamentally sound.”
Finding a winning script on offense against the Bears is a tall order, too. Among many other defensive accolades, Chicago has allowed the lowest passer rating in the NFL, with four interceptions.
“I feel like every time I go there, I play a really good defense,” Stafford said this week. “Doing that again this time, a defense that’s really talented at all three levels.”
A week after his 45th game-winning drive and 36th fourth-quarter comeback, it would be a welcome relief to need neither this Sunday.
What We Know, What We Don’t
While it’s too early to formulate any concrete opinions about the 2024 Los Angeles Rams, especially with so many key contributors out of the lineup, a picture is starting to take shape.
Slightly above average offense, and on defense, well…
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