The Chicago Bears (1-2) have slipped below .500 for the first time this season thanks to a tough road loss to the Indianapolis Colts in week three. Facing the visiting Los Angles Rams (1-2) in week four, the Bears can rebound off back-to-back losses and win their first NFC battle of 2024.
Led by head coach Sean McVay and a familiar face in quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams still pose a formidable challenge to a young, inexperienced Bears team. While both ball clubs look to find their identities despite fielding numerous significant injuries, only one team can earn their second victory of the season. To walk away from Soldier Field victorious, the Bears must complete the four following keys to success:
1) Get Roschon Johnson the ball early and often
After struggling on the ground through three weeks, the Bears seem poised to shuffle the metaphorical deck this Sunday at the running back position, with second-year rusher Roschon Johnson rumored to be in line for an "extended look" per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Johnson has had a fairly quiet start to the season, recording his first touch just last weekend against the Colts. A season ago, Johnson was one of two Bears' running backs to average over 4.0 yards per carry (Khalil Herbert), but the team seldom gave him enough opportunities to find his rhythm on the field. In last year's 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings, Johnson set career highs in total offensive touches (15) and total offensive yards (75), resulting in an impressive five yards per touch. Including that game and last week's loss to the Colts, Johnson has had just six total games with double-digit offensive touches, but Sunday provides another opportunity for the young running back to get going.
Against the Rams, Johnson will be facing a rush defense that has surrendered the third most rushing yards per game (177) through three weeks. Additionally, their 5.1 yards allowed per carry ranks in the bottom five around the league, so Johnson's physical, downhill nature as a running back could create consistent bursts in the run game.