Silencing ‘cardiac Bears’ will be Rams biggest task on Sunday

When Ben Johnson first took over as head coach of the Chicago Bears nearly a year ago, he set out right away to establish an identity centered around quarterback Caleb Williams.

“We’re ripping this thing down to the studs, and we’re going to build it up with him [Williams] first and foremost,” Johnson said in January 2024.

Fast forward to the present, and the same tenacity that Johnson spoke of has now been established as the identity of the NFC North champions.

Led by Johnson and a resurgent Williams, Chicago set an NFL record this past season when they came from behind to win seven games in which they were trailing in the final two minutes.

“I think there’s a belief that they’ve established,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said of the Bears.” I think when you have those types of successful outcomes, no different than Matthew the other day… I think he had full expectation to lead us down the field. I feel that when I watch Caleb, I watch that team. There’s a belief that they can find ways to finish, and that’s why they’re in this situation. He’s going to be a nightmare to defend.

At some point, it’s expected that the Bears’ luck will run out, but if the recent past is any indication, Chicago is just getting better and bolder. Their most high-profile wins came in the two biggest games of the season, both against Green Bay.

In Week 16, Chicago trailed 16-6 with 5:49 left. After a field goal made it a one-score game, the Bears recovered an onside kick before Williams threw a touchdown pass on fourth down to force overtime. He then sealed the victory with a 46-yard walk-off touchdown pass.

Last week in the Wild Card round, Chicago trailed the Packers 21-6 to start the fourth quarter — including an 11-point deficit with 6:36 remaining — but rallied with 25 points in the final quarter to get the 31-27 victory and advance to the Divisional Round against the Rams on Sunday.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it’s our identity here at this point,” Johnson said after the Green Bay game. “Some people say it’s not sustainable. I don’t know. The takeaways are that’s who we are on defense and on offense. It’s explosive plays. That’s kind of what we’ve done all year long, and coming up in big moments. As a team, it’s just resiliency and knowing that late in the fourth quarter, that’s really when we’re at our best as a football team. We’ll keep striving to be better earlier in games, and starting faster and all that, but that gives us something to work towards. I can’t be any more proud of that crew than I am now.”

Here are three ways McVay, Matt Stafford and the Rams can prevent themselves from being another notch on the “cardiac Bears” belt.

Disciplined Defense

One of the primary trends in Chicago’s comeback wins has been the ability to dial up explosive plays when needed most.

It all begins with Williams.

Most often, these moments come from Williams’ ability to use his legs to keep plays alive. He’s proven he can pick up huge chunks on the ground — as evidenced when he ran for 52 yards in the fourth quarter in the Bears’ come-from-behind win over Cincinnati in week 9 — or navigate life outside the pocket to buy time for his receivers.

For Los Angeles to limit the explosive plays, Chris Shula’s defense must be disciplined at the line of scrimmage. They must stay in their gaps, where keeping Williams in the pocket is much more effective than letting him improvise outside the tackles.

“His playmaking ability, explosive plays,” McVay said of Williams in late game sitiuations.” When you look at it, the other day… he was making some critical plays off-schedule. His ability to be able to make plays within the pocket, drive the ball to all parts of the field, but then be able to extend plays, keep his eyes down the field, and be able to make unbelievable throws off-platform or create with his legs. He’s an explosive play waiting to happen. It’s why they can get back in games and finish the way that they have.”

Special Teams Miscues

A midseason signee, Rams kicker Harrison Mevis could play the biggest role come Sunday. With inclement weather expected to make scoring a premium, Mevis’s ability to drive the ball through the wind will play a factor.

It will be vital for the Rams to continually put points on the board, whether it comes from a touchdown or a field goal, never allowing Chicago or its crowd to feed off miscues.

Apart from the kicking game, Los Angeles must make sure to execute every other part of the kicking game. From the onside kick team to punt formation, mistakes must be nonexistent late in the game.

Long Drives

The best way to break an opponent’s spirit late in the game is to have long sustained drives that eat up the clock. If the Rams find themselves with the lead and the ball late in the game, establishing a rhythm on offense will be vital.

The offensive line must be physical and establish its dominance against an aggressive Bears defense. Opening up running lanes for continued four-yard gains will play a massive role, especially because it’ll open up the passing lanes on play action with the linebackers crashing.

That’s where Stafford and his dynamic duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams can really shine, where they thrive in yards after the catch.