The Los Angeles Rams are back home for the first time since Week 6 as they’ll host the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. A loss for either team will almost put them completely out of contention for a playoff berth, while a win by the Rams will keep their slim hopes alive.
Los Angeles is predictably a home favorite over the Bears, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be an easy win for the Rams. There are plenty of reasons for concern coming off that ugly loss to the Steelers, and these are the three biggest.
Depleted offensive line
The Rams’ offensive line has been absolutely decimated by injuries recently. They will be without Brian Allen and Rob Havenstein on Sunday night, thrusting Bobby Evans and Austin Corbett into the starting lineup.
It’s hard to imagine this matchup going well for the Rams’ young offensive line, specifically at outside linebacker where Khalil Mack will be matched up against Evans and his three career NFL snaps.
Don’t be surprised to see several pre-snap infractions by the Rams as their makeshift line tries to get in a rhythm together. The offensive line has been the biggest problem for the Rams this season and it’s not going to get any better on Sunday with only one Week 1 starter remaining.
Jared Goff’s frequent turnovers
Goff simply cannot take care of the football. Against the Steelers last week, he fumbled it three times and threw two interceptions. He has 14 of the Rams’ 16 giveaways this season, and no matter who you play, if you turn the ball over, you have a good chance to lose.
If Goff can’t protect the ball in the pocket when the Bears’ pass rush gets home, and if he can’t avoid throwing costly interceptions, the Rams are going to have a hard time winning this game. They’re the more talented team on paper, but turnovers are a great equalizer in the NFL.
In games where the Rams have multiple turnovers this season, they’re 1-3. That’s no coincidence.
Lack of identity on offense
The Rams had a clear identity in 2017 and 2018. They would run the ball effectively, utilize play action to their advantage and create big plays downfield when Goff had time in the pocket. This year, none of those things have happened.
The Rams can’t run the ball consistently, ranking 20th in attempts and yards. Jared Goff has the lowest passer rating in the NFL on play-action, failing to throw a single touchdown pass on such plays. And big plays have been tough to come by, especially in the running game.
The Rams don’t know what they are offensively and it leads to questionable play calling. There’s no balance between the run and pass, and when Goff does drop back to throw, he’s either being pressured relentlessly or making bad throws more than he should.
