Los Angeles Rams: 4 Bold Predictions In Week 4 Against Chicago

The Los Angeles Rams enter Week 4 coming off a crucial win against NFC West foe, San Francisco, in comeback fashion.

The Rams scored 10 points in the final 1:51, highlighted by a game-winning 37-yard field goal by Joshua Karty to give Los Angeles its first win in 2024.

Now it is on to Week 4 where the Rams begin a four-game stretch where they take on three NFC North opponents over the next five weeks, beginning with a road trip to Soldier Field in a matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Here are four bold predictions as the Rams face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field for the first time since that infamous 6-15 slog in 2018 in which the kickoff is slated for Sunday at 10 a.m. PT.

The Ram Mentality Continues

The Los Angeles Rams have been suffered because of injuries. However, last week showed that they will never count themselves out.

Los Angeles has a multitude of injuries at key positions, resulting in players having to step up. Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson have been needed to produce at wide receiver. Logan Bruss and rookie Beaux Limmer filled in on the offensive line.

Their play on the offensive was vital, especially down the stretch in the two-minute offense to pull off the comeback, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford.

“I think the resilience, staying in the fight,” Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday to the media . “There was a lot of reasons based on the ebbs and flows of that game for it not to go our way. San Fran did a great job coming out and getting ready to go, jumping out to a 14-0 lead. It was 24-14 late in that game.

“Our guys just kept competing. They stayed in the moment. I don’t think they really ever pressed, and they gave themselves a chance to make the plays when it mattered the most.”

The difference in being 0-3 versus 1-2 goes a long way in the possibility of making the playoffs. In the Super Bowl era, 255 teams have started 0-3. Only six have made the playoffs with the most recent being the Houston Texans in 2018.

Having that mentality from every player, both on the 53-man roster and the practice squad, goes a long way as it will be a factor on the road and away from SoFi Stadium.

Related: 3 Player Additions That Will Keep The Injured Los Angeles Rams Relevant

Tutu Atwell Has Another Monster Game

During the Rams’ touchdown drive to tie the game at 24, Stafford was able to find Tutu Atwell for 50 yards to set up Kyren Williams’ 4-yard scamper into the end zone. Overall, Atwell led the team in receptions (4) and receiving yards (93). Atwell also had a co-team-high of five targets with tight end Colby Parkinson.

That connection goes a long way, especially when Atwell has needed to step up in the absence of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

Against the Chicago Bears, there have been some No. 1 receivers to have success against their formidable secondary. In Week 2 Houston’s Nico Collins recorded eight receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown.

As a result, it shows the possibility of what production Atwell can ascend to against the Bears, especially if his connection with Stafford is high on Sunday.

Also read: Orchestrating The Perfect Game Plan To Keep Los Angeles Rams Rolling Against Bears In Week 4

Los Angeles Rams Rookies Braden Fiske and Jared Verse show up in a big way

The biggest goal for McVay and General Manager Les Snead during the NFL draft in April was establishing their defensive front with the news of Aaron Donald’s retirement.

Through three games, the Rams’ rookie production has been solid with two former Florida State Seminoles in Braden Fiske and Jared Verse.

According to the Next Gen Stats , Fiske and Verse rank No. 1 and 2 in rookie pressure leaders, at 12 and 11 respectively. (Former UCLA defensive lineman and current Indianapolis Colt Laiatu Latu is third with 10 pressures)

Getting to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will be key for the Rams if they want to get to 2-2 heading into a home matchup against Green Bay. Chicago has allowed the third most sacks at 13 in three games, an average of about four quarterback takedowns.

It is also a prime opportunity for Fiske to record his first NFL sack.

Related: NFL’s Best Rookie Defensive Duo Belonged to Los Angeles Rams in Week 3

DJ Moore has a big game as Caleb Williams No. 1 target

The former USC quarterback has three go-to targets. The first is DJ Moore, who signed a 4-year, $110 million contract before training camp. Moore has led the way in the receiving game for the Bears with 19 receptions on 28 targets for 167 yards in the team’s first three games. Williams also has fellow rookie first-rounder, Rome Odunze, who got his first NFL touchdown last week against Indianapolis.

The Bears also have former Los Angeles Chargers pass-catchers Keenan Allen, the No. 3 wide receiver option, and Gerald Everett. Allen has been dealing with a couple of foot injuries as of late while Everett has just three receptions on five targets.

The top pass-catching catch tight end is Cole Kmet, who has 128 yards on 15 receptions.

Although Moore does not have a touchdown in 2024, Sunday could be a different story. Moore has had target numbers of 8, 10 and 10. That consistent production goes a long way with a formidable wide receiver and a rookie quarterback building that relationship.

The Rams saw something similar last week as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy found Jauan Jennings, who had not been a starter before last week due to injuries with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. Jennings caught 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns last week against the Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have allowed the most total yards through three games, giving the opportunity to Moore to emerge Sunday.

Also read: Matthew Stafford On The Verge Of Hitting Huge Hall Of Fame Benchmark

More must-reads:

• Orchestrating The Perfect Game Plan To Keep Los Angeles Rams Rolling Against Bears In Week 4
• 4 Bold Predictions for Los Angeles Rams vs Arizona Cardinals
• Los Angeles Rams Inactives For Week 1 – Reshuffling Offensive Line