All is not lost, but it might be getting close after Sunday night

The Bears defense should be able to dominate the struggling Rams offense, which is particularly troubled on the line. Running back Todd Gurley isn’t the same dynamic threat he was, and that has thwarted Jared Goff ’s ability to operate the play-action passing game. With Brandin Cooks out, the Rams lack a deep threat to take the top off the Bears secondary. So we’re looking at two solid defenses and two underperforming offenses. Field position will be at a premium, and the Bears are in a tough position if running back David Montgomery is not 100 percent or is sidelined because of an ankle injury.

I appreciated how the Bears processed Sunday’s win over the Lions. They recognized how flawed it was, and it didn’t inflate their collective sense of self. Surely, they understand the elevated degree of difficulty as nearly touchdown underdogs on the road against the reigning NFC champs. Khalil Mack is due for a game-changing play or three. When the Bears have the ball, it makes sense for Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to play zone like he did last year in the Bears’ 15-6 win. If this Bears team is going to capture any magic, it’s now or never. Eddy Pineiro makes the field goal this time.

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that this Sunday night game would be a meeting of two teams failing to meet high expectations? Both offenses have issues, but the Bears have more — and they could multiply with Montgomery battling an ankle injury. And while the Bears defense figured out how to shut down the Rams last year, this group doesn’t have the same bite without Akiem Hicks and Danny Trevathan.

This is a nod of respect to Phillips, the Rams mastermind defensive coordinator who knows how to handle a wounded opponent. The Bears offense has been a mess for months, and it’s hard to see it getting on track against Phillips.