reporters on the Bears game + game stats

Refocused, NFL Week 14: Los Angeles Rams 15, Chicago Bears 6

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-nfl-week-14-chicago-bears-15-los-angeles-rams-6

Chicago

Mitch Turbisky struggled in the passing game, failing to record over 100 yards on 30 attempts. Trubisky did everything he could to let the Rams back in the game with his three interceptions. When the Bears asked Trubisky to throw downfield, he struggled to hit the ball close his receivers, missing high far too often.

Jordan Howard recorded his first 100-yard game of the season and nearly matched Trubiksy’s passing yards. Howard was the key cog for the Bears, as they were forced to do just enough on the ground to keep the chains moving.

The Bears’ defense was dominant and held the Rams to under 250 yards of offense and only six points. The defensive front was essentially unblockable, as they recorded three sacks on top of numerous pressures and quarterback hits. Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks were among the standouts, and each recorded a sack with Mack recording a strip-sack.

The secondary came away with four interceptions, each by a different player. The combination of Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller came away with two of those with Amukamara also recording three pass breakups.

Los Angeles

Jared Goff had his worst game of the season going up against one of the top defenses in the NFL. He completed under 50% of his passes and threw four interceptions. Goff was under pressure essentially all game long, as the Rams offensive line struggled with miscommunications and top-tier pass-rushers of Chicago’s defensive line.

The Rams couldn’t generate any rushing attack, which plays an integral part of their gameplan every week. Gurley finished with only 28 yards on 11 carries and the offense finished with just over 200 yards of total offense, well below their season average.

Aaron Donald and his ability to take over games for the Rams’ defense has been unparalleled. However, against the Bears, he was kept quiet all game. He struggled to create pressure and only recorded one tacke and one assist as the Bears got the ball out quick or used a lot of trap plays to limit the effectiveness of the best defensive player in the game.

Marcus Peters came down with an interception early in the game to put the Rams in position for their first score of the game and then recorded another pass deflection. Outside of those two plays, Peters took away any receiver on his side.

Keys to the Game

Chicago

The Bears won this game due to their defense. The game showed how good the team’s defense is and how little they need from the offense to beat even the best teams in the league.

Los Angeles

The Rams’ potent offense came across a defensive juggernaut in Chicago, which led to a season-low in yards and points by the Rams. Goff was under pressure all night and threw four interceptions. Couple that with the lack of ground game, and the Rams drop their second game of the season.

Rams lose to Bears 15-6: Instant analysis of ugly Week 14 loss

Cameron DaSilva

Rams lose to Bears 15-6: Instant analysis of ugly Week 14 loss

It’s not often a team completely shuts down a Sean McVay-led offense, but that’s exactly what the Chicago Bears did on Sunday night. The Los Angeles Rams were kept out of the end zone for the first time under Sean McVay, losing to the Bears by a score of 15-6.

It’s just the Rams’ second loss of the season, but it was ugly from start to finish. Jared Goff threw four interceptions, Todd Gurley was held to 28 yards on 11 carries and the defense was gashed for 194 yards rushing.

As a result of the loss, the Rams have dropped to 11-2 and no longer own the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Game ball

Nickell Robey-Coleman: 3 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 TFL

Stat of the game: 3.5

The Rams averaged only 3.5 yards per play. Entering Sunday night, they averaged 6.7 yards per play.

Game notes

Jared Goff is not a cold-weather quarterback. The pressure generated by the Bears played a big role, but he didn’t look comfortable at all Sunday night. He was holding the ball too long, missing open receivers by overthrowing them and his passes simply weren’t sharp. Fortunately, the Rams shouldn’t have to play a cold-weather game unless they face the Bears in the playoffs.

This was by far the offensive line’s worst performance of the season. Granted, it came against a front that features Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks, among others, but there was a litany of issues. Andrew Whitworth had a costly false start in the second quarter, John Sullivan was dominated on the safety and Rodger Saffold didn’t open up any running lanes for Gurley. There were also defenders left unblocked multiple times for some odd reason.

It was a good performance by the defense, all things considered, but the run defense was especially bad. Cory Littleton was wiped out by blocks, Mark Barron was late to read runs and the defensive line was allowing huge holes. Nickell Robey-Coleman, Marcus Peters and the entire secondary played well, picking off three passes and allowing just over 100 yards passing.

The Bears did an outstanding job limiting Aaron Donald on Sunday night. He had just two tackles and no sacks, hitting Trubisky once. It’s a big reason they were able to win this game.

Los Angeles ran only 61 plays and had the ball for 23:11 compared to the Bears’ 36:49 time of possession, which limited the production of the Rams offense.

The Rams’ third-down efficiency was horrendous, converting only three of their 12 attempts, ending drives quickly and leading to three punts, three field goal attempts and three fourth-down tries, one of which was converted on a fake punt.

Defense ain't dead: Vic Fangio's unit grounds high-flying Rams in Chicago (via @MikeSilver) https://t.co/JCwjgvGLI3 pic.twitter.com/J9m6ji4Nr4

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 10, 2018