Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: Matchups to watch revisited

The game didn’t turn out exactly how the Los Angeles Rams wanted, but they got out alive and still end the season with the easiest schedule remaining.

The Chicago Bears suffocated the Rams as their defense was simply outstanding. QB Jared Goff was never comfortable, and it resulted in a disappointing performance from the Rams offensively.

Let’s revisit the matchups to watch:

ILB Cory Littleton/SS Marqui Christian vs RB Tarik Cohen

Last week’s matchup to watch:

The Bears feature a two-headed monster at RB with Cohen and Jordan Howard, though the former is more likely to cause damage to the Rams as opposed to the latter. Howard is a powerful runner though his fit is questionable in Matt Nagy’s system as he’s only averaging 3.4 yards-per-carry. Cohen on the other hand is a major weapon as a pass catcher and downfield weapon. On the year, Cohen has a combined 974 yards and six touchdowns. The Rams most likely to guard him are Cory Littleton or Marqui Christian. Christian may draw the most coverage as the Rams like to sub him on in passing situations for ILB Mark Barron.

Well, it’s safe to say the Bears won this matchup handily. Tarik Cohen proved to be a major issue in both the running and passing game as he totaled 89 yards. Not only that, but Jordan Howard came alive with his own 100+ yard performance on the ground, which was Howard’s first of the year. The Rams clearly aren’t a good run defense, we have 13 weeks of football to prove it.

DT Aaron Donald vs OG’s James Daniels/Eric Kush

Last week’s matchup to watch:

This week superman draws a rookie offensive guard in James Daniels and a former Ram who was a castoff in Eric Kush. Donald is 1.5 sacks away from tying the single-season defensive tackle sack record (18 sacks by Keith Millard). QB Mitch Trubisky is known to hold the ball long and extend plays with his feet, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Donald wreak havoc like he has all season.

Donald spent most of his night facing off against rookie guard James Daniels, and Daniels did a solid job. Now, he got a ton of help as Donald was routinely double and tripled team. That was smart game planning by the Bears as they dared anyone else on the defensive line to beat them. Donald still had a stop in the backfield against the run and a QB hit.

WR’s Brandin Cooks/Robert Woods vs CB’s Prince Amukamara/Kyle Fuller

Last week’s matchup to watch:

Cooks just managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in week 13, and Woods is knocking on the door with 971 yards. The duo has established a strong rapport and a knack for creating massive plays. This week they’ll fetch a solid duo at cornerback in Amukamara and Fuller. Amukamara currently has two interceptions, and Fuller’s registered six. This matchup is going to be a key in deciding the game.

I mean, the Rams didn’t really win any of these individual matchups, did they? Robert Woods had an okay game with six receptions for 71 yards, but Brandin Cooks was invisible. Not only that, but both Amkumara and Fuller registered interceptions, with Amukamara dropping a second.

LT Andrew Whitworth vs OLB Khalil Mack

Last week’s matchup to watch:

Khalil Mack moves across the formation so both Whitworth and RT Rob Havenstein will get their hands on him, but boy do they ever have their hands full. Mack is as dominant as an OLB as there is in the league. He currently has nine sacks, five forced fumbles, one interception, and a touchdown. Whitworth and Havenstein need to do everything possible to not let Mack single-handily ruin the game.

Khalil Mack is a freak of nature, and he proved to be a load to handle last night for both tackles. Rob Havenstein and Andrew Whitworth both struggled handling Mack as he routinely created pressure. Mack also registered a sack-fumble. The offensive line was dominated from the get-go against the Bears’ front-seven.

QB Jared Goff vs FS Eddie Jackson

Last week’s matchup to watch:

Jared Goff is likely to eclipse all of his statistics from last season in this game. Goff is the key to making everything work obviously, and he’s coming off arguably the worst game of his season against the Detroit Lions. This week he’ll need to outsmart one of the best safeties in the game in Eddie Jackson, who like Fuller, has six interceptions on the season. Jackson also has a sack, two forced fumbles, and two touchdowns.

Eddie Jackson proved to be mostly a non-factor all night until his late-game interception. Goff was miserable, simply put. He had 180 yards passing with no touchdowns and four interceptions. He needs better protection, but he also needs to protect the ball with more urgency moving forward.