Bears at Rams
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California TV: NBC
Tipico line: Rams by 7 1⁄2 Bears’ keys to victory: Keeping DT Aaron Donald away from the quarterback is often priority No. 1 for any team facing the Rams. Donald has four career sacks in four games against the Bears, including 2.5 in his last two. QB Andy Dalton struggles when pressured, and if he’s constantly under duress, he’ll have a hard time getting the ball to WR Allen Robinson. LG Cody Whitehair must keep Donald in check the best he can, even if it takes the Bears double-teaming him with a center or tackle.
Rams’ keys to victory: The Bears offense may not be much of a threat, but the defense is still formidable with OLB Khalil Mack, DT Akiem Hicks and LB Roquan Smith leading the way. RT Rob Havenstein has to limit Mack’s impact as a pass rusher, while LG David Edwards and C Brian Allen will likely be tasked with slowing down Hicks. Those matchups favor the Bears, so it’ll be critical for QB Matthew Stafford to get the ball out quickly early on to slow the pass rush and settle into his first game with the Rams.
Matchup to watch: Bears’ Allen Robinson vs. Rams CB Jalen Ramsey. These two also squared off last year in Week 7, and Ramsey allowed just one catch for 42 yards to Robinson. He’s the Bears’ best playmaker, and Ramsey has the ability to erase him.
Who wins? The Rams are still a bit of a mystery with Stafford at QB and a new-look defense led by coordinator Raheem Morris, but expectations for Los Angeles are much higher than they are for the Bears. Chicago has the inferior receivers, quarterback and likely defense.
Rams, 24-14