Rams vs. Bears Week 4 Predictions: Can LA Keep the Momentum Going?

Los Angeles Rams (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) vs. Chicago Bears (1-2 SU, 1-1-1 ATS)

NFL Football Week 4

Date/Time: Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 1PM EDT

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: Fox

The Los Angeles Rams come to Soldier Field for a week four NFC battle with the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Both teams enter this at 1-2, with the winner of this game given a nice boost at 2-2, with the loser falling to a deflating 1-3. It’s a nice little crossroads matchup with a variety of different angles that could play out. You have to hand it to the Rams, staring at 0-3 right in the face and down by ten points halfway through the final quarter against the 49ers on Sunday, roaring back with three late scores to get their first win in a crazy comeback. Chicago, meanwhile, comes back home after two tough road losses. On Sunday, they fell to the Colts, 21-16, and look to get back to winning this week at home, where they scored their only win of the season in week one. Let’s get into it!

Before Jumping to Conclusions…

Granted, a three-game window is not nothing. But last week showed that we can be hasty to lock in perceptions. The Bears did lose, but you at least saw rookie quarterback Caleb Williams show some signs with 363 yards through the air and two TD passes. It was encouraging for him to get Rome Odunze and TE Cole Kmet involved, as both had big games. Along with DJ Moore, that could be a nice aerial package for the rookie to exploit. They sometimes have trouble running the ball behind that offensive line, but you can’t have it all when your team is trying to build something. As they take their little tour though the AFC South to start the season, we see them mostly holding their own, and maybe they can build on that at home and back in the NFC.

Some may have been surprised to see the Rams come back against the Niners last week. The perception heading into that game was they were in tatters, with a decimated offensive line, their top two receivers out, and a defense that looked to be easy pickings. Some of those issues surely do exist, but the Rams showed they have heart and some intangibles that can bridge the gap. That big late-game rally might have saved their season. Matthew Stafford had a decent enough game even with his receiving crew in tatters, as his experience and gutsiness can go a long way. RB Kyren Williams came through with three touchdowns, which was critical. So, while what exists on paper for the Rams can be damning, they can surpass that with different variables, like leadership, coaching, clutch-play, and heart.

Run vs. Pass

I think this could come down to the Chicago passing-game against the Rams’ run-game. In that respect, both teams have cause for optimism. And for the Rams, that’s not a salute to their run-stop as much as it is the fact that there’s no one too electric for the Bears in the backfield, barring the off-good game from D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, or Raschon Johnson. It could happen, but I’d think the Rams’ aerial-attack has a better chance of thriving than the Chicago ground-game. I think this is a spot where the Rams can turn loose Kyren Williams a little bit. We saw Jonathan Taylor exact a toll on this Chicago defense last week and while it’s never a sure thing with the Rams’ offensive line dealing with this many personnel issues, I think they can still do damage this week in that area. Throw in the vestiges of a passing-game that was once a source of pride, along with the cool hand of Stafford, maybe they can salvage something in this spot. Or maybe they just benefitted from facing an SF team last week dealing with the same amount of personnel loss.

Out of all the rookie QBs this season from a heavy quarterback-class who have seen significant time behind center, Williams’ performance last week was the best. And sure, wins and losses is what it’s about, but we saw a glimpse of what this aerial offense can become when things start clicking. If Williams can establish some better continuity, start learning how to finish drives, while eliminating some of the growing pains, there’s a game coming where good things are going to happen. Whether that is this week is anyone’s guess, but it’s coming. With the proven veteran Moore, the first-round rookie Odunze, a good tight end, backs who can catch the ball, and a nice supporting cast of receivers, this could come together sooner than later. And if it did, why not at home against a Rams team where you get the sense they could become undone at any given time?