LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Seeking a bounce-back performance, the Bears (1-2) host the Rams (1-2) on Sunday at Soldier Field.
It will mark the second regular-season home game for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who's making progress in his personal game as the Bears’ offense still struggles to find its identity. Here are three storylines to follow in the game Sunday.
Arrow up for QB1
Williams grew up admiring Aaron Rodgers' game like so many, but one of Williams’ other idols perhaps wasn't as typical.
That was Super Bowl-winning Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, whom Williams first came to appreciate during Stafford's days leading the Lions.
“First, I’d say he controls the game as a quarterback,” Williams 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. Watching him be able to move defenders, be able to move and maneuver in the pocket and still deliver some nice passes down the field or even just getting the ball to your back and allowing him to go to work, keeping the ball in play, a bunch of different arm angles and things like that. He’s been doing it for a while. So, watching someone like that who has the success that he ‘s had, you want to learn from that. It’s going to be exciting.”
In praising Stafford, Williams also was outlining the type of play that he’s seeking in himself in leading the Bears this season.
In his first three NFL games, Williams has completed 59.3% of his passes for 630 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. He has endured highs and lows already, but Williams has also showcased growth that has reminded the Bears of his immense talent and his firm grasp of leadership.
Sunday marks the next step for Williams as he seeks continued progress and the Bears look to climb to 2-2.
Eberflus vs. McVay
In hiring offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in January, head coach Matt Eberflus and the Bears added a disciple of the Sean McVay coaching tree.
Waldron worked for McVay and the Rams from 2017-'20 before joining the Seahawks. A defensive-minded coach, Eberflus studied the style of offense led by McVay, and he coveted a similar system for the Bears.
On Sunday, Eberflus and his defensive coaching staff will be tasked with slowing McVay’s Rams offense.
“He has great pace to the offense,” Eberflus said. “He gets plays in and out fast, so you've got to be able to operate at a fast level in terms of the execution. The most motions in football, so there's across-the-ball motion prior to and then on the snap. So, he's looking at your gap integrity there in terms of your defense and your communication, if you're communicating in terms of the coverage, the back end part of it.
“And very good in the situations. Very good in the short-yard situations, red-area situations. And he's done a great job in two-minute. Couple that with the quarterback that he has to operate that offense, and it's good. I know they're down weapons and all that stuff, but they found a way to move the ball effectively last week to get the victory.”
The Rams rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat the 49ers, 27-24, on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, doing so without star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who were each sidelined by injury. Though the Rams will be shorthanded once again Sunday at Soldier Field, they still have an offense capable of putting up numbers.
Weather the storm
In 2023, the Bears started 0-4, which built on a losing streak from the 2022 season that ultimately hit 14 games. It was a disastrous start, one that slowed the Bears' progress and put a great deal of scrutiny on Eberflus.
The Bears have encountered adversity once again early this season, as their record sits at 1-2 and their offense struggles. A defense-and-special-teams-fueled 24-17 win against the Titans in the opener is the only reason the Bears aren't winless.
If the Bears lose to the Rams, they'll drop to 1-3 and see the storm clouds hanging over them after opening the season with playoff hopes.
With a win, the Bears will climb to .500 and feel more confident that a breakthrough is looming.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.