Chicago Bears: Three keys to beat the Los Angeles Chargers

2. Stop the Run

The loss of Akiem Hicks has really seemed to hurt the Bears rush defense. Hicks went down in the first quarter against the Raiders and since then the Bears have been gashed on the ground.

The Raiders would rush for 169 yards and then the Saints went for 151 yards. Those aren’t huge numbers but for a defense that had been great against the run, it is an alarming change.

The ground game is what has beat the Bears the last two games and they need to shore that up. The Chargers come in looking to establish Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler on the ground. They haven’t been great as both have averaged under four yards a carry, but they are capable of grinding it out and breaking big runs.

Philip Rivers has not played his best football this year and can be forced into mistakes even if he puts up big numbers. Shutting down the run and letting the defense key in on Rivers could be very beneficial for the Bears. Rivers is not the most mobile quarterback either and the Beras can get to him.

But when the Chargers have a balance to their offense they can put up a lot of points and quickly. Like what we just mentioned about the Bears is if they can stop the run and force pass it can turn into short possessions for the Chargers and get the Bears defense off the field.

If the Bears defense can stop the run, they can do what they do best and that is rush the passer. That could lead to turnovers and the Bears setting up their offense with a short field and we all know they need that. Stop the run and win the game.