Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams Point Spread Picks

Los Angeles leads the NFL in scoring, averaging 30.7 points per game, and Chicago ranks #23 in scoring defense, allowing 24.6. The Rams are 14-6 ATS in their past 20 games and 7-1 ATS in their past eight January games. Chicago is 3-10 ATS in its past 13 January games. The Rams are also No. 1 in passing yards (269.6 per game), No. 7 in rushing yards (126), and No. 2 in yards per play (6.15). The Bears' defense is #25 in passing yards and #27 in rushing yards allowed. The combination of Matthew Stafford and his two premier receivers, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, creates a nightmare scenario for opposing defenses. The Bears have relied on turnovers and total meltdowns by their opponents to get this far. The Rams are unlikely to fall into that trap, especially with Stafford's immense playoff experience. If weather is a factor (temperatures in the teens are forecast), Kyren Williams can help out in the ground attack as he totaled 1,252 yards on 4.8 per carry with 10 TDs in the regular season. Los Angeles has gone OVER eight straight in the divisional playoffs and is currently on a 7-0 OVER run, including six in a row on the road. The Rams are 5-0 OVER after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game and 5-0 OVER after totaling more than 250 yards passing. Chicago's magical season comes to an end. Take the Rams and the OVER. 

Los Angeles outscored San Francisco 20-3 in the final 19 minutes to pull out a 27-24 victory on Sunday. Matthew Stafford passed for 221 yards, Tutu Atwell had four catches for 93 yards, and the Rams won despite being outgained 425-296. Chicago went UNDER for the seventh time in nine games, including all three games this season, while losing 21-16 to Indianapolis. Caleb Williams threw his first TD passes while passing for 363 yards, but the Bears couldn't overcome a 14-3 deficit after three quarters. The Bears score only 17.6 points per game and are going UNDER by an average of 7.3 points. Chicago has been 2-10-3 ATS in the past 15 games versus teams with losing records, and the Bears have been 6-0-1 UNDER in their past seven games after totaling more than 350 yards in their previous game. Los Angeles is 8-3 ATS dating to last season, and the Bears have lost five of their past six September games. Stafford being an underdog against rookie Williams is a favorable situation. Take the Rams and the UNDER.

Chicago is a big dog but still has an elite defense. Pass rusher Khalil Mack has 70.5 sacks in 110 games, while the secondary is anchored by safety Eddie Jackson, a Pro Bowler in 2018 and 2019. This defense was #11 in yards allowed in 2020, and they were eighth in yards per carry allowed (4.1) on third down. And that was without run-stuffing nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who opted out last year due to COVID-19 concerns. The Bears have never had a losing record under coach Matt Nagy and have made the playoffs in two of his three years. Los Angeles made big news in the offseason by adding 33-year-old QB Matthew Stafford. A major concern, however, is in the trenches protecting him. The Rams didn't add any depth in free agency or the draft. Center Austin Blythe left in free agency, center Brian Allen missed all of 2020 with a knee injury, and left tackle Andrew Whitworth will be 40 in December and is coming back from a knee injury. All three of Chicago's September games last season were decided by four points as the defense allowed 20.6 points per game. Back the big dog with the powerhouse 'D' in a close one. Play Chicago.

The Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams maintained elite status through the last season, but right now it is a fight for survival. The issue for the Bears is twofold. They have absolutely no running game as they get themselves in obvious passing situations, and Mitchell Trubisky is struggling. He threw 25 TDs a year ago to just 8 this season. And his 7.4 yards per attempt a year ago is down to 5.8 this year. The defense is also wearing out allowing 22.4 points per game over the last five. The Rams have found their defense from a year ago allowing 14.3 points per game in their last four. It won't take a lot of offense for the Rams to get the win and cover here. Make the play on the Rams.