Williams, Bears look to stop skid while Rams hope to build on dramatic win
Los Angeles Rams (1-2) at Chicago (1-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, FOX
BetMGM NFL odds: Bears by 1½.
Against the spread: Rams 1-1-1, Bears 2-1.
Series record: Bears lead 54-39-3.
Last meeting: Rams beat Bears 34-14 in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2021.
Last week: Rams beat 49ers 27-24; Bears lost 21-16 to Indianapolis.
Rams offense: overall (19), rush (29), pass (9), scoring (20).
Rams defense: overall (32), rush (30), pass (29), scoring (31).
Bears offense: overall (30), rush (31), pass (25), scoring (22).
Bears defense: overall (8-T), rush (17-T), pass (7), scoring (10-T).
Turnover differential: Rams plus-1; Bears even.
Rams player to watch
WR Tutu Atwell had four receptions for 93 yards versus the 49ers, helping pick up the slack with Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) unavailable. Despite his diminutive size, the 5-foot-9 Atwell has typically delivered when targeted and should be a key part of the passing game as long as Kupp and Nacua remain out.
Bears player to watch
QB Caleb Williams. The No. 1 overall draft pick showed some progress last week when he threw for a Bears rookie record of 363 yards. He completed 33 of 52 passes with the first two touchdowns of his career, but there were some sore spots. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner out of Southern California spent a good portion of the game on the run behind a shaky line and threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and got sacked four times to bring his total to 13.
Key matchup
RB Kyren Williams vs. Chicago’s defensive line. With Kupp and Nacua out, the Rams could try to soften up Chicago’s defense by running the ball. Williams, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, ran for two touchdowns and caught a score against San Francisco. He has a rushing touchdown in six straight regular-season games, which is tied with Marshall Faulk for the longest streak by a Ram since 2000.
Key injuries
The Rams came out of Sunday’s dramatic win over San Francisco without any new injuries, making their best day of the new season that much better. … Kupp remains out but will not be placed on injured reserve because Los Angeles has used up so many of its “return to play” slots. … The Bears could have all their top playmakers available, with six-time Pro Bowl WR Keenan Allen (heel) returning to practice on a limited basis Wednesday after missing the past two games. … RT Darnell Wright (back), DE Darrell Taylor (illness) and CB Terell Smith (hip) were all dealing with ailments.
Series notes
Matthew Stafford made quite a debut for Los Angeles against Chicago in 2021, throwing for 321 yards and three touchdowns. The Rams have won three straight — all in Los Angeles — against the Bears since a loss at Soldier Field in 2018.
Stats and stuff
Stafford needs 223 yards to pass Eli Manning (57,023) for 10th most in NFL history. … The Rams defense held the Niners to 4 yards per carry after allowing 5.3 and 5.8 yards in their first two games. … DL Braden Fiske has recovered a fumble in consecutive games, making him the first Rams rookie to do so. … The Rams have yet to allow a kick return this season. … Chicago has dropped two straight since a season-opening win over Tennessee, losing at Houston and Indianapolis. … The Bears had 63 yards rushing on 28 attempts last week. … WR Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick, had his first 100-yard game with six catches for 112 yards and a TD. No Bears rookie has had back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since Willie Gault in 1983. … TE Cole Kmet tied a career high with 10 receptions and had 97 yards and a touchdown last week. … DE Montez Sweat had his first sack of the season last week, after combining for 12 1/2 with Washington and Chicago in 2023.
Fantasy tip
Despite the issues on the line, Williams could take another big step this week going against a defense that ranks near the bottom of the NFL.
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