CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. at SoFi Stadium, and the game can be heard on WBBM Newsradio 780. Here are Jeff Joniak's keys to the game.
Offense
· Give Andy Dalton the opportunity to use his experience wisely at the line of scrimmage against a dangerous Rams defense. He is a smart quarterback who will get the ball out quick and on time. Protecting Dalton with a run game commitment and successful play calls on third down will move the chains, eat clock, and give the offense a chance to get in a rhythm against the reigning #1 defense in the NFL.
· Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy offered more than once this week, the desire to stay out of third and long situations. The Rams were #3 in the NFL holding teams to a 19.3% conversion rate on 3rd & 6+ and the Rams were number one forcing three-and-outs.
· This is always a key: prevent Aaron Donald from wrecking the game and all it takes is a play or two a half to do so. The three-time defensive player of the year gets schemed to create one-on-one matchups. Donald is gifted enough to win his share of those.
· There is a significant boost in speed on the Bears offense and it should be used as a weapon to open up the field vertically and horizontally.
· Going Jalen Ramsey’s way traditionally bares very little fruit. His aggressive play in man coverage is stifling, and he roams the field looking for opportunities to wreak havoc.
· Bears receivers need to create separation on their routes and be ready to move the sticks with yards after the catch against a good tackling, aggressive defense coordinated by former Tampa Bay HC Raheem Morris.
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Defense
· One of the big unknowns is Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai. This is his first regular-season game calling plays for a defense he’s designed. What it will look like is one of the biggest advantages of the game. Deploying three game-changing talents like Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Roquan Smith should net favorable results. The Bears want turnovers. Period. Matthew Stafford has thrown 23 interceptions in 20 career games against the Bears. Pressure him. Hit him. Make him throw in a muddy pocket.
· Tackling is often rough around the league in the first month of the season, but whatever rust needs to come off, it needs to come off quickly against the Rams. They have excellent catch and run receivers, like Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Overall in 2020, the Rams finished 4th in the league in yards after the catch, while piling up 54.5% of their passing yards after the catch (#2).
· Stafford did not play a single preseason snap but figures to be an ideal fit for Sean McVay’’s motion offense. Tremendous eye discipline across the board by the Bears will be necessary to not lose favorable position and leverage. McVay thrives on the play-action game, and Stafford offers significant threats on those calls.
Special Teams
· Patrick O’Donnell needs to outplay four-time All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker, who dazzled in 2020 against the Bears, dropping all five of his punts inside the Bears 10-yard line. Long fields might be a problem against a defense with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
· Overall, the Rams special teams unit ranked 30th in Dallas Morning News veteran NFL writer Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings. Former Bears special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis joins the Rams in the same capacity aiming to repair what was the 30th ranked kick coverage and 27th ranked punt coverage units. The Rams also had four kicks blocked in 2020.
· The Bears come in strong with their trio of O’Donnell, kicker Cairo Santos, and snapper Patrick Scales. Santos made his final 28 field goal attempts including the wildcard playoff loss to the Saints, establishing a single-season Bears record. They are a reliable trio.
· The big unknown for the Bears is what they will get in the return game. Securing the ball and setting up a favorable field position is critical against the Rams.
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Intangibles
· Every team wants to get off to a quick start and the hope is the Bears will do just that. They have struggled the last two seasons scoring points in the first quarter.
· Falling behind against Sean McVay is a struggle. He owns a sparkling 37-0 record when leading at the half since he took over in 2017.
· The big question everyone is asking: Will Nagy roll out a package of plays in specific down and distance situations for rookie QB Justin Fields? That is one of many “great unknowns” typically reserved for opening games every NFL season.
· Let the fun begin!
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