The Los Angeles Rams came out in Week 7 and showed why they should be considered a threat in the NFC as they handled the Chicago Bears with ease, winning 24-10.
It was a significant win for the Rams after their letdown to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 and a reminder that the team can win games in different ways. To date, the offense has been the talk of their 2020 season, but it was a coming-out party for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and the defense in Week 7.
Los Angeles’s defense held Chicago to only three points, with their opponent’s only score coming off a fumble by Robert Woods. Otherwise, they shut down Nick Foles and the Bear’s running game all night.
According to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN, Sean McVay had high praise for his defense after the game:
“I was pleased with everything that they did,” said McVay, who awarded game balls to Floyd and Staley, who served as the Bears’ outside linebackers coach in 2018 under Matt Nagy. “I thought they flew around. I thought we were great really in every area of the game.”
Former Bear and current Rams defensive end Leonard Floyd took delight in beating his old team:
“I wanted to be calm but with high intensity to go out and execute at a high level,” said Floyd, whom the Bears released in the offseason, despite exercising the fifth-year option on his rookie contract a year earlier. “We proved that we was the better defense today.”
The Rams finished with four sacks on the evening, with Floyd accounting for two of them. His presence along the edge made life difficult for Foles, particularly late in the game when the Bears were down a couple touchdowns.
The secondary was also outstanding, grabbing two interceptions and ending any possible miracle attempt of a comeback. One of those picks went to Jalen Ramsey, his first of the season and a sign that he is beginning to grow more comfortable in Staley’s scheme.
Los Angele’s defensive showing is incredibly encouraging midway through the year and bodes well for the rest of the season as they will need to keep up in what is hands down the best division in football. The Rams should have another solid day when they take on a Miami Dolphins team who just handed the keys to their franchise to Tua Tagovailoa.
