WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL
KEY PLAYERS
Bears DE Julius Peppers had 12 tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss against the Ravens last week, but he has struggled to dominate in back-to-back weeks. Rams left tackle Jake Long is ranked sixth among offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus but has allowed five sacks, one more than he allowed last season with the Dolphins.
ON THE GROUND
Any NFL team with a running back will challenge the Bears’ defense, which is ranked 31st against the run (134 ypg). Last week, Ray Rice became the sixth player to rush for 100 or more yards against the Bears’ defense. But after a 47-yard run on his first carry, the Bears held Rice to 84 yards on 24 carries ‘‘It’s not like we’re getting driven off the ball,’’ DL Corey Wootton said. ‘‘The biggest thing we have to do is stay in our gaps. That’s all it comes down to.’’ Rams RB Zac Stacy leads all NFL rookies with 537 rushing yards (4.2 yards per carry, three touchdowns). His long run this season is 32 yards.
IN THE AIR
‘‘What do you know about Kellen Clemens?’’ sounds like a trick question, but the Rams’ replacement for Sam Bradford had a 140.6 passer rating (9-for-16, 247 yards, two TDs, zero INTs) in a 38-8 rout of the Colts two weeks ago — though his biggest plays came after the Rams had taken a 21-0 lead. ‘‘He’s very capable,’’ Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. ‘‘He seems to have very good command of what they’re trying to do. He knows where to go with the football.’’ On the other hand, Clemens’ passer rating when the game is within two touchdowns is 65.5, with seven sacks in 71 attempts.