Rams begin Stafford era while Chargers look to bolster offense around Herbert as teams open season today.
Rams’ first test against an old foe of new QB, the Bears
For Matthew Stafford and the Rams, only one thing will feel familiar about the season-opening game tonight at SoFi Stadium against the Bears. It’s the Bears.
Stafford faced them home and away annually when he was with the Lions for 12 seasons, producing more victories (going 11-9) and more gamewinning drives (six of his 38) against Chicago than any other team. The Rams have faced the non-division opponent the past three years, winning the past two meetings with stout defense. This part of the new season might feel old.
“I’m used to seeing the Bears a couple of times a year, and I’m just going to be wearing a different uniform playing them this time,” Stafford said.
But the quarterback’s change of uniforms is the difference and the curiosity in this nationally televised game.
Finally, 7 1/2 months after the Rams agreed to acquire Stafford in the trade that sent quarterback Jared Goff and two draft choices to Detroit, they’ll see him in action and measure his impact in more than a practice or scrimmage.
This will be Stafford’s first game as a member
of the home or visiting team at SoFi Stadium, or, for that matter, any Los Angelesarea venue in college or pro football.
It will be everybody’s first game with fans in the stands at SoFi Stadium, which was closed to crowds in its first year because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Rams players and coaches, to say nothing of their Bears counterparts, have been trying to picture what all of this will look like.
Stafford, 33, a former No. 1 overall draft pick from Georgia, spent all his career with a franchise that was never good enough to win a playoff game. He joins one that has been to the playoffs in three of four seasons under coach Sean McVay.
“I think really it’s the entirety,” Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth said of what will be different. “When you (look at) everything we’ve done over the last few years, and everything Sean’s been able to do as a coordinator and a head coach, and then you match it with a guy like Stafford ... it’s the opportunity for him to have the success he deserves.”
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp pointed to Stafford’s ability to create opportunities for all five eligible receivers on a given play, a group of targets that can include free-agent signing DeSean Jackson.
“Not really premier plays become really big plays for us,” Kupp said. “He’s (Stafford) able to do a lot of stuff for us. It’ll be exciting to see it all come alive.”
Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey said he sees Stafford “making things happen.”
Rams: RB Cam Akers (Achilles) is on injured reserve; no other starters are out this week. Bears: NT Eddie Goldman (doubtful; knee, ankle), WR Darnell Mooney (questionable, back), OLB Khalil Mack (questionable, groin), OLB Robert Quinn (questionable, back), S Tashaun Gipson (questionable, back); S Eddie Jackson (questionable, wrist). Amid changes, the Rams try to continue their knack for starting seasons fast. They haven’t been below .500 at any point in Sean McVay’s time as coach, thanks to their 4-0 record in opening games. A powerful showing against the Bears, whom they beat 17-7and 24-10the past two years, would say good things about the Matthew Stafford-led offense. The Rams. Like them, the Bears have a new quarterback in Andy Dalton and defensive coordinator in Sean Desai. While the Rams come off a 10-6 season and first-round playoff win, and hope Stafford takes them farther, the Bears were 8-8and lost seven of 10 before a quick playoff exit, and Dalton could be replaced soon by the 11th overall draft pick, Justin Fields. Rams CB Jalen Ramsey vs. Bears WR Allen Robinson. A top-10 receiver, Robinson has been contained in both games since Ramsey joined the Rams in mid-2019, catching four passes in each of those defense-oriented L.A. victories. Ramsey’s skills allow him to play all over the field, wherever he’s needed, but Robinson should be a focus. If Stafford and his wide assortment of receiver options look as in sync in their first real game as they usually have in practice and scrimmages. If Aaron Donald can put pressure on Dalton; the Rams sacked him five times in their 24-10 win over the Bengals in 2019, and sacked then-Bears QB Nick Foles four times last year. If Rams fans remember when to make noise and when to be quiet. Rams RB Sony Michel. His grasp of the playbook and his eventual role are unclear 18 days after he was acquired from the Patriots. But one thing McVay knows Michel can do right away is score touchdowns in goal-line situations (see Super Bowl LIII). Prediction: Rams 27, Bears 13. McVay’s Rams aren’t just 4-0in season openers, they’re 4-0against the point spread in those games. Stafford’s Rams debut, SoFi Stadium’s first real game with a crowd, and a victory would make for a joyous beginning.
“Putting the ball right on the money on guys, throwing guys open, some of the elite traits that he has always had, I think will be able to be expressed a little bit more this year, hopefully,” Ramsey said.
Offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell said he expects Stafford to be the “same steady force” he was in Detroit, where Stafford passed for 45,109 yards, 16th most by an NFL quarterback.
“He’s (Stafford) got a lot of experience to really call upon, but at the same time, it’s going to be his first opportunity to run it out as our guy,” O’Connell said. “I think there’s not one guy in the locker room that’s not excited about seeing him do that and lead us.”
That might not be the feeling in the other locker room.
Bears coach Matt Nagy told Chicago reporters about his respect for Stafford.
“And then you put him in that offense,” Nagy said. “And, you know, coach McVay went out and got some other tools too. I was with DeSean in Philadelphia (as an assistant coach). Don’t get it twisted, he might be older but he can still blaze.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us on defense, so we’ll have to be ready.”
Stafford’s final victory over the Bears for the Lions, in December in Chicago, was telling.
The Lions were trailing by 10 points and backed up at their 4-yard line with 4:43 to play. Stafford threw an incomplete pass on first down, but then connected on six in a row for 96 yards, the last 25 coming on a touchdown strike to Marvin Jones. After a strip sack of Mitch Trubisky gave the Lions the ball again, a short touchdown run by Adrian Peterson gave Detroit a 3430 win.
Knowing about performances like that gives the Rams confidence in Stafford.
Stafford’s own confidence is quiet, at least outside the locker room. Asked Wednesday for a memory from his games against the Bears, he thought but declined to name just one. As he put it: “It’s always a great battle when play those guys.”
Said Kupp: “He’s got a lot of stories. He’s probably just being humble.”
Maybe Stafford will do more bragging in L.A. after he has accomplishments here to brag about.
What he and the Rams can accomplish together, they’ll begin to find out starting today.
“It’s really just the start, which is the good thing,” McVay said. “We’re going to learn a lot.”
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