The Chicago Bears defense pulled off a miraculous turnaround in the wild-card matchup against the Green Bay Packers, after an abysmal first half showing.
Able to move past the Packers with a 25-point fourth quarter, the Bears will have a tough task ahead for their defense taking on Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams, and Puka Nacua in a high-powered passing offense and a two-headed running back threat of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
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Given the recent performances of Chicago’s defense, the Rams could have plenty of opportunities to get the ball in the end zone unless Dennis Allen’s unit continues their strong play from last week’s second half. After giving up 42 points to the San Francisco 49ers just a few weeks ago, the Bears defense has been a roller coaster over the past month.
Here are the top three keys for the Bears defense as they welcome the Rams to Soldier Field on Sunday night:
Red zone execution
The Packers went 3-for-3 in the red zone during the first half of the game against Chicago during their wild-card matchup, but then closed it down and did not allow another score in the red zone the rest of the way. The Bears defense has been labeled as “bend, don’t break” for their identity, and with the Rams going 4-for-5 in the red zone against Carolina, Chicago is going to have to need their defense to clamp down inside the 20-yard line.
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Attempt to contain Puka Nacua
There is no way to completely stop Rams All-Pro wide receiver, Puka Nacua, but the Bears defense has to hope that they can slow him down. The question becomes who Chicago wants to line up opposite of Nacua, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon still recovering from injury, there could be an opportunity for Tyrique Stevenson to get on the field and try to keep up with him. Los Angeles could also line him up in the slot against Gordon. It may not be the player-for-player matchup that matters most, but more importantly, how Dennis Allen schemes to put his defense in the best opportunity to contain Nacua.
Freeze out Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford is 1-9 in his last 10 games in winter weather games outside, throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during that stretch. The weather conditions are going to be frigid and with approximately a 55% chance of snow with nearly 20 MPH winds expected, meaning the Bears have the conditions on their side, and they’ll have to make it ugly for Stafford. Not only the weather conditions, but Stafford also suffered a sprained finger on his throwing hand last week against Carolina, which combined with the weather should not make it a fun time throwing the ball.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Rams: Keys for Chicago’s defense in divisional playoffs
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