The Los Angeles Rams got their first win of the 2024 campaign with a gutsy and identity-defining fourth-quarter comeback against division rival San Francisco 49ers making their record 1-2.
Through three games the Chicago Bears have the same record but have one since Week 1. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has struggled, but the Chicago defense has proved to be one of the most elite units in the league.
Now these two 1-2 teams will face off on Sunday on Soldier Field in Chicago, let us take a look at the statistics that will determine who will get to .500 in the young season.
Los Angeles Rams Defensive Depth Of Target – 9.2 yards
Two of the three teams have tested the Rams defense by throwing deep. Brock Purdy had an average depth of target of 11.3 yards and a yards per catch of 9.8 yards. Kyler Murray‘s ADOT was 10.7. Those were both season highs for those quarterbacks. On the season, the Rams are being targeted at the second-deepest ADOT.
These targets are putting outside corners Tre’Davious White and Cobie Durant to the test and it has resulted in the Rams giving up the third most passing yards. Murray went 5 for 5 on passing attempts of 20 yards or more. Purdy went 2 for 4.
Now they will face Caleb Williams, who has the fifth deepest average depth of target in the year. The big difference is that he has only completed three of 19 passes of 20 or more yards. But all three of those came in their Week 3 matchup.
The question here is who will outlast the other. Williams is going to push the ball down the field to his fantastic trio of receivers; Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen, and DJ Moore.
42 Pressures Allowed Vs. 37 Percent Pressure Rate
Injuries to the Rams have taken their toll to the tune of the sixth-highest pressure rate in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears defense has the 6th highest pressure rate.
The Rams offensive line starting lineup will remain the same as it was last week, with Alaric Jackson, Logan Bruss, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein. And the Rams mitigated the quarterback pressures by running the ball more against the 49ers defense. But that plan might not work against the Bears, whose defense success rate against the run is 10 points higher than San Francisco’s.
Leaning into the passing game will put Matthew Stafford in harm’s way, increasing his risk of injury. Stafford hasn’t just been under a lot of pressure, he has been hit 15 times, third most in the league.
50 Percent Rushing Success Against the Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have the league’s 3rd worst run defense allowing .061 EPA per play. But the Bears offense also has the third-worst rushing game and has run for just 218 total yards over three games. They have also attempted the most passes so far this season, but with the liability that is the Rams’ run defense, will they change their tendency to put the ball in Caleb Williams‘ rookie hands?
The Chicago Bears leading rusher is D’Andre Swift 37 carries and just 68 carries.
