Five matchups Chicago Bears must win vs. Rams

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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 17: Roquan Smith #58 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

5. Todd Gurley vs. Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith

Yes, containing Todd Gurley will come down to Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, and Bilal Nichols; everybody. However, what makes the Rams so tough is that they scheme well and have talent on their offensive line.

This typically can get Todd Gurley into the second level. From there, it is Todd Gurley one-on-one with linebackers.

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The Bears have asked Roquan Smith to defend running backs for the most part. Smith has done well but has hardly been tested. When he was tested against the Patriots, Vic Fangio wound up pulling him and mixing him and Leonard Floyd in and out of the game.

Saquon Barkley did not expose Smith in the passing game, but the Giants were having too much success with Barkley running the ball to look that way.

Trevathan will typically defend the tight ends, and that shows as the team is much better statistically against tight ends. However, in this game, he may have to show some help for Gurley.

Both linebackers are going to have to get downhill against the run. However, that is where the Rams go for play action and issues in the passing game can emerge.

These two will have to play gap discipline and to their role. From there, it is tackling an MVP candidate one-on-one in space

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