CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. Kickoff is set for 7:15 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
In the third consecutive installment of Bears-Rams in prime time, the first key remains consistent: Prevent Aaron Donald from wrecking the game and all it takes is a play or two a half to do so. Donald is that good.
At the same time, Bears quarterback Nick Foles is offering excellent advice and that is, when Donald makes a big play, don’t let it ruin the whole game plan. Get back to work on moving the ball and scoring points.
This is a big night for the Bears offensive line to get their timing right to clear lanes for the running game and protect Foles long enough for routes to open up against a secondary that features five defensive backs fast enough to run in the 4.4 range entering the NFL.
Know where Jalen Ramsey is at all times. The Rams like to deploy him in multiple ways, or they could travel him solely with his former Jacksonville teammate Allen Robinson. A year ago, Robinson caught 4 of his 6 pass attempts for 15-yards. If it happens this way again, then opportunity knocks for Darnell Mooney, Anthony Miller, and the tight ends.
Robinson talked this week about the need to create “explosive” plays. The Bears have 16 pass plays of 20+ yards, and no 40+ yard pass plays; the only team in the league without one. This is a challenge Robinson says the offense talked about this week. The Rams defense has allowed only 14 pass plays of 20+ yards, t2nd fewest in the league with the Bears next two opponents after Monday night; the Saints and the Titans. This is an important stretch in the season to make big plays.
We say it all the time, but a quick start against the Rams is wise. The defense has permitted only 26 second-half points this season, by far the fewest in the league.
Cranking up the third down machine is again a major key and a big challenge against the league’s 6th ranked third-down defense.
Defense
Rattling Rams quarterback Jared Goff with consistent pressure is one of the biggest keys to the game in my opinion. When the pocket is consistently muddy, it leads to bad decisions by Goff. The pass rush has to be fierce and play to its potential. A quiet pocket will lead to trouble.
It won’t be easy. The Rams offensive line is healthy and playing well. Goff was not sacked in the week 6 loss to the 49ers and the ground game produced 5.9-yards a carry led by Darrell Henderson, Jr. The front five consistently win the line of scrimmage battle creating 2-3 yards before contact. Henderson does not go down easily, but is also working through a thigh bruise.
This is an eye test game for the Bears defense. No peaking. Do not see ghosts. Do not get sucked in by the Rams shell game of constant motion and play-action excellence. The defense has to trust what it sees in order to play fast
Goff’s favorite target is Cooper Kupp. He struggled against the 49ers, collecting only 3 of his 9 targets for 11 yards and dropped a touchdown pass. He tweeted this week: Reflect, rectify, respond. Look for Kupp to come ready to play.
Last season against the Bears, Kupp was coming off a difficult game against the Steelers who doubled him and took away his third down threat, and it will be a significant task for Bears nickel defender Buster Skrine. Kupp is one of the premier slot receivers in the league. Nine of his 10 receptions on 3rd down have gone for first downs, where averages 18.8 yards-per catch
Special Teams
Patrick O’Donnell’s leg is an important weapon in the fight for field position. He was terrific last week in the win in Carolina creating long fields for the Panthers, and will need to again against the Rams.
It’s always a great test against Rams punter Johnny Hekker. A flat out weapon given his variety of punts, the five-time All-Pro set an NFL record with 50 punts inside the 20 in 2016. He also set the single season net average record in 2013. He also has a dangerous right arm completing 14 passes for nearly 200 yards in his career. Hekker is a sideshow, and the Bears are on high alert.
Intangibles
There is a bubbling confidence in these Bears no matter the struggles on offense. They believe in each other and they believe the best is yet to come. That is a critical intangible as they begin a challenging stretch of the season. The defense is playing with a swagger and you get the feeling more big plays are about to come in bunches. The offense is led by the fiery Nick Foles, who is a calming influence at a time of concern about consistency and anemic point production. Yet, the Bears keep winning.