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Cameron DaSilva
30 minutes ago
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
The Rams will get a shot at redemption on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears, trying to avenge their ugly loss at Soldier Field last season. This game comes with far fewer playoff implications as both teams are falling out of the postseason race, but the winner will keep their slim hopes alive.
The Rams have been the better team this season and have more talent on paper, but they’re banged up and Chicago is coming off a much-needed win over Detroit.
With injuries and lineup changes impacting the game, here are four key matchups to watch on Sunday night.
Jalen Ramsey vs. Allen Robinson
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson is far and away the Bears’ biggest threat at wide receiver, and it’s not close. He’s been targeted 80 times, which is 25 more than the next-closest player (Tarik Cohen) and 49 more than the next wide receiver, Taylor Gabriel. The Bears try to get him the ball often, and while they’ve had some success doing so, it does make them one-dimensional when throwing the ball.
Ramsey has the ability to take him away and force Mitchell Trubisky to use his other receivers more often. Robinson leads the team with 618 yards receiving, with the second player in that category (Gabriel) posting 277 yards in seven games. The Rams have to limit Robinson’s production because he has the potential to go off.
Bobby Evans vs. Khalil Mack
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
This matchup could very well decide whether the Rams win or lose. If Evans gets run over by Mack throughout the game, Jared Goff and the passing attack won’t be able to move the ball. If Evans holds up well and manages to limit Mack’s impact, Goff will have far more success. Goff is a different quarterback when under pressure and few players are better at rushing the passer than Mack.
Evans has only played three NFL snaps in his career and looked out of place during the preseason. This is the definition of trial by fire because there isn’t a tougher matchup in football in your first start than Mack.
Aaron Donald vs. James Daniels
Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Daniels is expected to stay at left guard after moving from center, and he’ll face the best interior rusher in football plenty on Sunday night. Daniels has given up just one sack this season and has a PFF grade of 63.2, though he has a tendency to commit penalties. He’s been flagged four times, ninth-most at his position.
Donald forces more holding penalties than possibly anyone in the NFL, so expect to see at least a flag or two fly when he’s rushing against Daniels. Donald rushing against even the best offensive guards is a matchup that favors the Rams, and he’ll win often on Sunday night. But what might be even more important is commanding double teams and freeing up the Rams’ other pass rushers.
Cooper Kupp vs. Buster Skrine
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kupp was shut out by the Steelers on Sunday, catching zero passes in a game he finished for the first time in his career. You can bet the Rams will try to feed Kupp early and get him involved against Skrine in coverage. Skrine is having a decent season, allowing 25 catches on 45 targets (55.6%) with one touchdown and a passer rating of just 72.5.
Skrine has been better than Kyle Fuller, who has allowed a league-high 55 completions in coverage, as well as 584 yards with three touchdowns. Kupp is a key player on offense for the Rams and getting him the ball typically leads to success. He has to be better this week than he was against Pittsburgh when he was being doubled often and dropped one pass, too.
30 minutes ago
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
The Rams will get a shot at redemption on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears, trying to avenge their ugly loss at Soldier Field last season. This game comes with far fewer playoff implications as both teams are falling out of the postseason race, but the winner will keep their slim hopes alive.
The Rams have been the better team this season and have more talent on paper, but they’re banged up and Chicago is coming off a much-needed win over Detroit.
With injuries and lineup changes impacting the game, here are four key matchups to watch on Sunday night.
Jalen Ramsey vs. Allen Robinson
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson is far and away the Bears’ biggest threat at wide receiver, and it’s not close. He’s been targeted 80 times, which is 25 more than the next-closest player (Tarik Cohen) and 49 more than the next wide receiver, Taylor Gabriel. The Bears try to get him the ball often, and while they’ve had some success doing so, it does make them one-dimensional when throwing the ball.
Ramsey has the ability to take him away and force Mitchell Trubisky to use his other receivers more often. Robinson leads the team with 618 yards receiving, with the second player in that category (Gabriel) posting 277 yards in seven games. The Rams have to limit Robinson’s production because he has the potential to go off.
Bobby Evans vs. Khalil Mack
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
This matchup could very well decide whether the Rams win or lose. If Evans gets run over by Mack throughout the game, Jared Goff and the passing attack won’t be able to move the ball. If Evans holds up well and manages to limit Mack’s impact, Goff will have far more success. Goff is a different quarterback when under pressure and few players are better at rushing the passer than Mack.
Evans has only played three NFL snaps in his career and looked out of place during the preseason. This is the definition of trial by fire because there isn’t a tougher matchup in football in your first start than Mack.
Aaron Donald vs. James Daniels
Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Daniels is expected to stay at left guard after moving from center, and he’ll face the best interior rusher in football plenty on Sunday night. Daniels has given up just one sack this season and has a PFF grade of 63.2, though he has a tendency to commit penalties. He’s been flagged four times, ninth-most at his position.
Donald forces more holding penalties than possibly anyone in the NFL, so expect to see at least a flag or two fly when he’s rushing against Daniels. Donald rushing against even the best offensive guards is a matchup that favors the Rams, and he’ll win often on Sunday night. But what might be even more important is commanding double teams and freeing up the Rams’ other pass rushers.
Cooper Kupp vs. Buster Skrine
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kupp was shut out by the Steelers on Sunday, catching zero passes in a game he finished for the first time in his career. You can bet the Rams will try to feed Kupp early and get him involved against Skrine in coverage. Skrine is having a decent season, allowing 25 catches on 45 targets (55.6%) with one touchdown and a passer rating of just 72.5.
Skrine has been better than Kyle Fuller, who has allowed a league-high 55 completions in coverage, as well as 584 yards with three touchdowns. Kupp is a key player on offense for the Rams and getting him the ball typically leads to success. He has to be better this week than he was against Pittsburgh when he was being doubled often and dropped one pass, too.
Rams vs. Bears: 4 key matchups to watch on Sunday night
Jalen Ramsey should be matched up with Allen Robinson throughout this game.
theramswire.usatoday.com