Caleb Williams, Bears aim to level record with win over Rams
League: NFL
Posted on: 27 Sep, 2024 at 08:51 PM
Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears unabashedly went all-in on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in the offseason.
While the top overall draft pick has produced mixed results through three games, the Bears (1-2) hope to stabilize their attack as other members of the offense return to health for a Sunday home game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Chicago received positive news this week with wide receiver Keenan Allen. Allen (heel), acquired from the Chargers in the offseason, is listed as questionable but is expected to be back after missing the past two games -- road losses at Houston and Indianapolis.
"His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is gonna be great for us," Williams said.
A known commodity in the middle of the field, Allen figures to provide security for Williams, who has remained under duress behind a transitioning offensive line.
Chicago yielded four sacks in a 21-16 loss at Indianapolis last week. Williams was sacked seven times the week before in Houston.
Right tackle Darnell Wright began the week as an injury concern. He is day-to-day with a back injury, but head coach Matt Eberflus said he'll be ready to go Sunday based on Friday's practice.
"We're looking at the best five (offensive linemen)," Eberflus said. "We don't want musical chairs in there. It's early in the season. We're looking for that."
The Bears struggled to run on a porous Indianapolis rush defense. Williams passed for 363 yards and the first two touchdowns of his career but also was responsible for three turnovers -- two interceptions and a strip sack.
Los Angeles avoided an 0-3 start by rallying from a 14-point, second-half deficit to edge the visiting San Francisco 49ers 27-24. Joshua Karty kicked the winning 37-yard field goal with two seconds remaining.
While the Rams (1-2) aspire to play from ahead on Sunday and throughout the season, they also find that reeling in opponents is made easier with quarterback Matthew Stafford under center.
Los Angeles defensive tackle Kobie Turner described Stafford's calmness after the Rams forced a punt, giving the offense the ball back with 42 seconds to play in a tie game.
"Everybody's hurrahing and everybody's super excited and Matt is just still," Turner said. "He's just calm and he's going on the field, it looks like it's a normal day.
"And so when you kind of see that presence -- never being too high, never being too low -- and you see the fire that he plays with, you know and you have complete confidence in the fact that he's going to put us in the best situations."
Rams running back Kyren Williams rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns to go with a receiving score against San Francisco. But he's averaging just 3.0 yards per carry after gaining five yards per attempt last season.
Stafford passed for 221 yards and a touchdown even though top targets Cooper Kupp (ankle), Puka Nacua (knee) and Tyler Higbee (knee) were sidelined due to injury. All three are still sidelined this week.
Rams coach Sean McVay said this week that while Kupp is "attacking every single day," the former Super Bowl MVP won't be able to play against Chicago.
Los Angeles tight end Davis Allen (back) was limited in practice on Wednesday.
Four Chicago players sat out the team's Wednesday practice with mixed results since. Wright and Darrell Taylor (illness) returned to full practice Friday, while defensive back Terell Smith (hip) and defensive linemen Zacch Pickens (groin) were ruled out for Sunday.
The Bears lead the all-time series with the Rams 54-39-3 and boast a three-game home winning streak in the series.
--Field Level Media