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Nov 16

Forte open to Bears return? – NBCSports.com

1. Get turnovers, and points off turnovers.

Jared Goff's interception rate is 2.5 percent, and only three quarterbacks have been picked off more than the nine charged to the former No. 1 overall pick. As a result fun fact time! Goffs passer rating (82.7) is worse than Mitch Trubiskys (85.2).

Sean McVays play action-heavy offense has still worked at times this year, but Goff has looked like a liability operating it. The opportunities should be there for Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Ha Ha Clinton Dix and Eddie Jackson whos still searching for his first interception of 2019 to take the ball away multiple times, something they havent done since Week 5 (the Bears have two takeaways in their last four games).

Of course, McVay could deploy an extremely conservative gameplan to keep Goff from putting the ball into harms way. But this offense largely is what it is, and as long as the back end of the Bears defense doesnt bite on play action, itll have chances to take the ball away.

And when those chances do come, one of two things needs to happen: Either its a pick six, or the Bears offense scores a touchdown immediately following a turnover. Sustaining long drives against a good Rams defense will be difficult for an offense that hasnt really done that in 2019 anyway. So score on short fields, or get defensive touchdowns, and the Bears will put themselves in position to win on Sunday night.

2. Make it three for three against Aaron Donald.

The Bears muted Aaron Donalds impact a year ago, limiting him to just one tackle in their 14-9 win at Soldier Field. Credit Bears offensive line coach Harry Hiestand for an excellent coaching job of his guys last December, which maybe wasnt a fluke when Hiestands Notre Dame offensive line faced Donald back in 2013, they held the then-Pitt star toone tackle.

Hiestands O-line shut down Donald last year with backup Bryan Witzmann starting at right guard, though the challenge on Sunday may be greater given current right guard Rashaad Coward is still very much a greenhorn at his position. And Donald, too, is entering Sunday playing some of his best football.

Five of Donalds six sacks have come in his last four games, and he has 13 stops tackles that represent a failure for the opposing offense, as defined by PFF in that same span. His ability to wreck the game, whether or not David Montgomery plays (he's a gametime decision with an ankle injury), needs to be held in check.

The Rams are fourth in defensive DVOA, one spot ahead of the Bears, with Wade Phillips defense actually improving off 2017 and 2018 while the Rams offense has regressed. Donald, whos still playing like the best defensive player in the NFL for the third year in a row, is a big reason why.

3. Have Allen Robinson win his matchups against Jalen Ramsey.

Ramsey hasnt played the sort of transcendent worthy of sacrificing two first-round picks to acquire, as the Rams did before Octobers trade deadline. In three games with the Rams, Ramsey has allowed 14 receptions on 17 targets with no interceptions, though he hasnt allowed a touchdown either, per PFF.

While Ramsey has been good, he hasnt been great and that should allow Allen Robinson to have chances to make plays as his former Jacksonville Jaguars teammate shadows him. Robinson has been outstanding this year, and has been the only player on the Bears offense in whom Mitch Trubisky has displayed unbridled trust. If he can manage a big game how about 100 yards and a touchdown? itll be because he won his matchups against Ramsey. And if Robinson does that, the Bears offense will have its best chance at beating one of the leagues better defenses.

If Trubisky can't get Robinson the ball, or Ramsey gets an interception or two, the Bears will have an exceedingly difficult time overcoming having their best offensive player being taken away.

Prediction: Rams 22, Bears 13

The Bears will arrive at the Coliseum with a 3.6 percent chance of making the playoffs, per Football Outsiders, the result of how poor theyve played this year coupled with a loaded NFC wild card race led by the Minnesota Vikings (7-3) and Seattle Seahawks (7-3). A win will keep their flickering playoff hopes from being extinguished, but it will not mean Chicago can start thinking about the postseason yet.

The Rams, though, are in a similar boat. A win would move them to 6-4, and they still have a game against the Seahawks remaining that could swing a wild card spot in their favor. So both teams will play Sunday evening with their metaphorical backs against the wall.

Ultimately, the Rams defense is what will drive their win. Phillips zone-heavy scheme stifled Trubisky and the Bears offense last year, and not even having the threat of Trey Burton on Sunday will have a negative impact on Matt Nagys offense.

The Bears will have to play their best game of the season to earn a victory (even better than Week 4), but last weekends win over the Lions was not the kind of inspiring effort that leads one to believe a great, complete game is coming.

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Forte open to Bears return? - NBCSports.com

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