Two teams surrounded by doubts despite their hot starts to the season, the Chicago Bears traveled to Los Angeles to battle the Rams on Monday Night Football. Squandering many opportunities to mount a comeback after falling behind early, the Bears offense provided little hope to NFL fans watching on national television.
Business as usual after a loss, Sean Mcvay’s team was able to move the ball all night long and make enough plays to secure a 24-10 victory to keep pace in the competitive NFC West. A low scoring affair that featured just 650 yards between the two teams, here’s what happened in this one.
First Half
Opening up the game on offense, the Bears failed to move the ball, gaining just one first down on the possession. After beginning their first drive deep inside of their own territory, the Rams moved the ball into Chicago territory. Mixing up the run and the pass nicely on this drive, Jared Goff was able to find wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods for first downs to keep the drive alive. However, Los Angeles’s offense would become bottled up inside Chicago territory, leading to a Johnny Hekker punt.
After a quick three and out by the Bears offense, Goff and company were able to punch the ball into the end zone to open up the scoring. Finding four different receivers on the drive, the Rams capped off a seven-play 47-yard march with an 11-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Josh Reynolds. Finally able to get their offense going after a slow-starting first quarter, Nick Foles led the Chicago offense into Rams territory, with a 38-yard reception by tight end Cole Kmet kicking things off for the Bears. Unable to move the ball into the red zone, the drive would ultimately stall out at the Los Angeles 24 yard line, forcing the team to settle for a 42-yard field goal by Cairo Santos.
After back-to-back punts by each team, the Rams were once again able to move the ball deep into Bears territory. Back to back receptions by Kupp and tight end Johnny Mundt would set the team up with first and ten at the Bears 12 yard line. Unable to find the end zone, a 22-yard field goal by rookie kicker Sam Sloman would give Los Angeles a seven-point lead once again. With both teams unable to get any momentum going on their next two drives, the game would head to halftime with a score of 10-3.
Second Half
Looking to build on their halftime lead, after a three and out on the Bears opening possession, the Rams looked to take a two-score lead on their opponent. Finding Woods and Kupp for chunk plays once again on this drive, a one-yard touchdown plunge by running back Malcolm Brown would give Sean Mcvay’s team a 17-3 lead with 8:06 to play in the third quarter. Falling behind two scores early on in the third quarter, Foles and the Bears offense were finally able to put together one of their best drives of the night.
Taking advantage of an 11-yard carry by running back David Mongomery and a 14-yard reception by tight end Jimmy Graham, the Bears would find themselves inside the red zone in just six plays. In spite of all of their success on this drive, a rare mistake by quarterback Nick Foles would find him intercepted by safety Taylor Rapp in the end zone, putting a damper on the Bears comeback bid.
Finding a way to capitalize on the turnover, an eight-play 80-yard drive, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown reception by tight end Gerald Everett would give Los Angeles a commanding 24-3 lead with 1:34 to play in the third quarter. Looking defeated on the night, the Bears would end up turning the ball over on downs during their next possession. Cordarelle Paterson was stuffed for a 2-yard loss on fourth and one. Following a Rams blocked field goal in an effort to extend their lead to 27-3, Chicago would make an attempt to cut into the lead. Able to move the ball inside the Rams ten-yard line, the Bears ultimately turned the ball over on downs once again after Nick Foles was sacked on fourth and goal.
Playing up to the moment like they have all season long, the Bears defense would provide one last-ditch effort on the Rams’ next possession to cut into the lead. A jet sweep to wide receiver Woods would ultimately be fumbled and returned for a touchdown by star Bears safety Eddie Jackson to pull the team within two scores at 24-10. Following a Rams punt, the stage would become set for Nick Foles to try and pull Chicago to within one score. However, an ill-advised throw would become picked off by star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to secure a 24-10 win for Los Angeles.
Highlights
.@JaredGoff16 and @J_Rey_11 connect to open the scoring!@RamsNFL lead 7-0. #RamsHouse
📺: #CHIvsLAR on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/3oWB2RFTjr pic.twitter.com/ZKnZMdwChm— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2020
Malcolm Brown at the goal line 💪 @RamsNFL lead 17-3. #RamsHouse
📺: #CHIvsLAR on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/3oWB2RFTjr pic.twitter.com/IzgNjiaCrw— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2020
Troy Hill and Taylor Rapp combine on the end zone INT! #RamsHouse
📺: #CHIvsLAR on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/3oWB2RFTjr pic.twitter.com/2GV9pA6EZ7— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2020
Quinn forces it out and Eddie Jackson with the SCOOP AND SCORE.#DaBears pull within two scores.
📺: #CHIvsLAR on ESPN
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/3oWB2RFTjr pic.twitter.com/dgnU2LKW3x— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2020
Looking to get back in the win column after a disappointing performance, the Bears will look to regroup against the New Orleans Saints at home next Sunday. Winners of their last three games, Sean Payton‘s team, should provide Chicago all they can handle in one of the most interesting matchups on the week nine slate. Headed to Miami for the debut of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the Rams will look to keep pace in the ultra-competitive NFC West.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Chris Gallagher on Twitter @ChrisGally06
Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
One Response
Great win for my Rams, DC Staley I was wondering about from the beginning of the year, run gashes were to frequent from game to game, but he has changed my tune…. I see what McVay embraces about him… LB Lewis is a bright spot as a rookie…
Rams come to my County this week to play the Phins, hope they wear the bone white Uni’s…. Attending with my daughter Taylor Rae…