The Chicago Bears are facing their toughest test yet this season, as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC divisional-round playoff game. The Rams are not just a formidable opponent, but many believe they're the best team in the league, capable of winning the Super Bowl.
Matthew Stafford, the Rams' quarterback, is playing the best football of his career at 37 years old. He led the league in passing yards per game and touchdown passes, and was second to the Patriots' Drake Maye in passer rating. Stafford's accuracy and ability to extend plays with his legs make him a threat from anywhere on the field.
The Rams' offense is loaded with talent, including wide receiver Puka Nacua, who led the NFL with 129 catches and was second with 1,715 yards. Adams would be the top receiver on many teams but settled into the No.2 spot behind Nacua with only 60 catches, 789 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Rams also have a potent running game, led by Kyren Williams, who ran for 1,252 yards at an average of 4.8 yards per carry and scored 13 total touchdowns.
The Bears' defense is where the matchup gets really interesting. Chicago's secondary has been shaky in coverage from play to play, and Stafford has plenty of options to exploit them. The Rams have two Pro Bowl pass rushers in Jared Verse and Byron Young, who combined for 19ยฝ sacks this season, and their defense as a whole pressures quarterbacks on 26.3% of their drop-backs.
The Rams' offense is good in every aspect of the game where the Bears are vulnerable. Chicago struggles to get a pass rush; the Rams don't allow sacks. The Bears have one of the NFL's worst run defenses; the Rams have one of the best backs. The Bears are injured and inconsistent in the secondary; the Rams have wide receivers nobody can cover and a savvy, prolific quarterback.
This game could be a shootout, as both teams have high-powered offenses. But for the Bears to win, they'll need to keep up with the Rams' high-scoring attack while also containing Stafford's ability to make plays outside of the pocket. It won't be easy, but the Bears know what they're up against and will need to bring their A-game to take down the best team in the league.
Matthew Stafford, the Rams' quarterback, is playing the best football of his career at 37 years old. He led the league in passing yards per game and touchdown passes, and was second to the Patriots' Drake Maye in passer rating. Stafford's accuracy and ability to extend plays with his legs make him a threat from anywhere on the field.
The Rams' offense is loaded with talent, including wide receiver Puka Nacua, who led the NFL with 129 catches and was second with 1,715 yards. Adams would be the top receiver on many teams but settled into the No.2 spot behind Nacua with only 60 catches, 789 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Rams also have a potent running game, led by Kyren Williams, who ran for 1,252 yards at an average of 4.8 yards per carry and scored 13 total touchdowns.
The Bears' defense is where the matchup gets really interesting. Chicago's secondary has been shaky in coverage from play to play, and Stafford has plenty of options to exploit them. The Rams have two Pro Bowl pass rushers in Jared Verse and Byron Young, who combined for 19ยฝ sacks this season, and their defense as a whole pressures quarterbacks on 26.3% of their drop-backs.
The Rams' offense is good in every aspect of the game where the Bears are vulnerable. Chicago struggles to get a pass rush; the Rams don't allow sacks. The Bears have one of the NFL's worst run defenses; the Rams have one of the best backs. The Bears are injured and inconsistent in the secondary; the Rams have wide receivers nobody can cover and a savvy, prolific quarterback.
This game could be a shootout, as both teams have high-powered offenses. But for the Bears to win, they'll need to keep up with the Rams' high-scoring attack while also containing Stafford's ability to make plays outside of the pocket. It won't be easy, but the Bears know what they're up against and will need to bring their A-game to take down the best team in the league.