Will Rams exploit Bears’ weak defense this Sunday?

Bears defense is one of the worst to ever make it this far

The Bears defense is one of the worst to ever make it this far, by modern metrics. They allowed 36 passing touchdowns in 18 games, and they ranked near the bottom in net yards per attempt. As a result, opposing quarterbacks often attacked seams and exploited coverage breakdowns.

Meanwhile, the Rams arrive with the league’s elite passing attack led by Matthew Stafford. Stafford threw 49 touchdown passes this season, and his receivers stretch defenses vertically. Moreover, the Rams excel in red zone scoring and run success, which will pressure Chicago’s weak front. Because the Bears rank poorly in yards per carry allowed, Los Angeles can impose tempo with the run.

Turnover edge becomes crucial, yet Chicago needed multiple takeaways to win many games. Therefore this preview will focus on matchup advantages and schemes. Ultimately, the mismatch between Chicago’s pass defense and the Rams’ offense looks stark. Expect Los Angeles to exploit mismatches, attack soft zones, and force quick decisions.

Bears defense is one of the worst to ever make it this far

The Bears defense is one of the worst to ever make it this far, and the numbers explain why. They allowed 36 passing touchdowns in 18 games, and that mark sits at the top of their problem list. Moreover, Chicago ranked 28th in passing touchdowns allowed and 29th in net yards per pass attempt. Because they gave up 7.6 yards per attempt, opposing offenses attacked vertically.

Kevin Byard led the team with seven interceptions, yet he also allowed the most passing touchdowns among safeties. Nahshon Wright allowed six touchdown catches in coverage, which highlights inconsistent secondary play. Furthermore, the Bears ranked 29th in yards per carry allowed, so run fits punished them. As a result, teams with balanced attacks moved the chains against Chicago.

The turnover split shows the fragility of this defense. Chicago went 9-0 when it generated multiple turnovers, but 2-6 when it did not. Therefore, reliance on takeaways masked deeper schematic and personnel issues. Because the Rams excel in red zone scoring and record strong rushing success, Chicago’s flaws become magnified.

Compare this to the 2022 Chiefs, who also allowed 36 passing touchdowns but did so across 20 games and a Super Bowl run. So while the raw number looks similar, the Bears’ rate is worse and their situational defense lacks trust. Ultimately, the data make a clear case: Bears defense is one of the worst to ever make it this far. Consequently, the matchup tilts heavily to the Rams unless Chicago forces chaos with turnovers.

Rams offense: why Chicago’s flaws matter

The Rams offense arrives as a full-blown mismatch for Chicago. Led by Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles scored prolifically this year. Stafford threw 49 touchdown passes in 18 games, the league lead. Moreover, the Rams scored the most red zone touchdowns in the NFL. Therefore Chicago faces both high efficiency and elite execution near the goal line.

Los Angeles pairs a vertical passing game with a strong ground plan. The Rams had the second-best rushing–success rate in the first round, 51.7 percent. As a result, they can sustain drives and shorten games. Meanwhile Chicago struggles to stop both the pass and run.

The playoff context sharpens their edge. Notably, the Rams went 0-3 when they committed multiple turnovers. Conversely they went 13-2 in every other game. Therefore Los Angeles needs to protect the ball, but their ceiling stays high.

Critics even warned about blowouts. As one line put it, ‘The Rams might drop 50 on the Bears’. Likewise, pundits said, “Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay might hang 50 on the Bears.”

Because Stafford led the league in passing touchdowns, those lines carry weight. Consequently the Rams offense represents a clear test for Chicago’s fragile defense. Expect a heavy dose of Stafford and quick passing early. Rams attack with pace.

In short, the Bears defense is one of the worst to ever make it this far. They surrendered 36 passing touchdowns in 18 games and allowed 7.6 yards per attempt. They ranked 28th in passing touchdowns allowed and 29th in net yards per pass attempt. Therefore their coverage and front seven issues become glaring against elite offenses.

By contrast, the Rams offense presents multiple dangers. Matthew Stafford threw 49 touchdown passes this season, and the Rams led the league in red zone touchdowns. Additionally, their rushing success rate near 51.7 percent sustains drives and controls tempo. However, the Rams’ playoff record shows a clear turnover dependency: 0-3 with multiple turnovers, 13-2 otherwise.

Consequently, the matchup strongly favors Los Angeles unless Chicago forces repeated turnovers. For coverage and game updates consult Rams News LLC and follow reporter @ZachGatsby on Twitter. Rams News LLC provides detailed Rams reporting and in-depth previews to track matchups. In that light, expect the Rams to test every weakness of Chicago’s defense.

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