There is no question that the Chicago Bears’ defense will have arguably their toughest challenge of the season trying to stop the Los Angeles Rams’ offense.
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has played at an MVP level this season, which is something that Bears head coach Ben Johnson has brought up to the media this week. At 37 years old, Stafford led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. Puka Nacua finished second in the NFL in receiving yards (1,715) – only Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba had more yards (1,793).
Also, in a Sean McVay offense, the running game can’t be forgotten about. Kyren Williams ended with 1,252 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 259 carries. Blake Corum added another 746 yards and six rushing touchdowns on 145 carries. This offense is loaded and can score at any moment, in a multitude of ways.
Bears safety Kevin Byard knows Rams' offense is going to be a problem
Veteran safety Kevin Byard III highlighted multiple reasons why the Rams present problems for opposing defenses, starting with Stafford.
“As long as he's played in this league, I think he's playing probably the best football of his career,” Byard said. “He'd probably say that. I think he's just very confident within the scheme. What Sean McVay is doing, playing at a very high level. Obviously, he has a top two, probably not two, receiver in the league right now with Puka Nacua, who's playing at a very high level. (Rams WR) Davante Adams is still Davante Adams, their run game is humming as well. There’s a reason why they're the number one offense in this league this year.”
With so many viable weapons to defend, it’s tough to pinpoint where to start when thinking about how to defend Los Angeles’ offense. Typically, though, the defense will emphasize stopping the run, and McVay’s scheme will make that a difficult task.
“Well, for one, I think his run game is unique, kind of almost similar to (49ers Head Coach Kyle) Shanahan and also even Ben where they're doing so much as far as their personnel, moving them around a lot of different places and they're creating angles in the run game, but also getting your eyes off where they're shifting the guy here, but then they're bringing the tight end this way, but then the run is going this way and then it's wheeling back where it's kind of getting guys out of place and they're able to get downhill,” Byard said. “Every run might not hit for 20 yards, but it's four or five, six again, positive yards every time. I think that's very unique.”
Read more: Ben Johnson affirmed the harsh truth about Bears' offense that had to be said
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s unit gave up 21 first-half points to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card, but only allowed six points in the second half in the 31-27 win. Whatever adjustments were made at halftime, Allen will have to prove he can get that same type of production again, especially if Los Angeles starts fast, for the Bears to pull off the upset victory at Soldier Field.