Key Matchups No. 4 and No. 5: Chicago Bears vs. the Los Angeles Rams
4. Cooper Kupp vs Duke Shelley
This one can be a game-breaker for the Bears. Other than Jaylon Johnson, the team doesn’t have much in the way of talent at the CB position. To start the year it looks like Duke Shelley will be the starting slot CB.
Shelley must be up to the task this week because he will be facing one of the league’s best slow WRs in Cooper Kupp. Kupp has proven to be one of the most consistent WRs in the league and attacking this matchup should be a focus of the Rams offense.
5. Sean Desai vs Sean McVay
The Bears’ defense hasn’t been the same since the departure of Vic Fangio. The past two years under Chuck Pagano, the defense was still pretty good but at times seemed very far from their prominence of 2018.
Sean Desai takes over for 2021 and he will be up against one of the best offensive play-callers in Sean McVay. Desai has been with the team since 2013 ut will be calling plays for the first time. Desai has been met with high praise from those within the organization and his debut will be something to watch.