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Bears finally get running game going, knock off Rams 24-18: Key takeaways

30 September 2024Last Update :
Bears finally get running game going, knock off Rams 24-18: Key takeaways

NFL Week 4 live updates: Inactives, schedule, kickoff times, matchups, odds and predictions

By Kevin Fishbain, Adam Jahns, Jourdan Rodrigue and Lauren Smith

Following a pair of losses the past two weeks, the Chicago Bears led from the second quarter on Sunday, evening their record with a 24-18 win over the visiting Los Angeles Rams.

It was an afternoon of firsts for the Bears as Roschon Johnson rushed for his first touchdown of the season in the second quarter and D’Andre Swift added his first touchdown with Chicago on a 36-yard run in the fourth to pace the Bears on the ground. Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams also tossed his first touchdown pass at home, connecting with DJ Moore in the third.

Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 224 yards, and Kyren Williams rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown, but Chicago’s defense made key stops late, and sent the Rams to 1-4 with an interception on their final drive.

Bears offense finds rhythm

Williams threw for only 157 yards, but this was the best the Bears’ offense looked all season. He didn’t turn it over, threw a beautiful touchdown pass to Moore, and helped get a much-needed win at home.

Williams had some misses and potential big plays, and it took a while to get going, but you could see his confidence growing and how much fun he was having as the offense finally got into a rhythm. Credit to Shane Waldron for dialing up some screen passes, too, and Williams ability to get those to his receivers in time were critical. — Kevin Fishbain, Bears beat writer

Swift paces productive Chicago run game

The Bears finally got their run game going in Week 4 against the Rams. Running back D’Andre Swift, whose start to the season had drawn scrutiny, had 16 carries for 93 yards and a 36-yard touchdown. The score came behind a nice block from tight end Cole Kmet.

Johnson added 26 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. He scored on a 1-yard run behind center-turned-fullback Doug Kramer. The Bears’ problems running the ball became part of the criticism of Waldron. The Bears had gained only 218 yards on the ground over their first three games of the season. But the run game produced against the Rams. Waldron’s best drive of the season came in the second half when the Bears scored after 12 plays, 74 yards and six minutes and 13 seconds. — Adam Jahns, Bears beat writer

Defense makes key stops for Bears

One of the things the Bears lacked last year was a closer on defense. Today they were able to hold their lead thanks to punter Tory Taylor, some timely blitzes, and pressure on Stafford. That culminated in the end of the game, when Taylor pinned the Rams on their 8-yard line, and an under-duress Stafford was picked by Jaquan Brisker.

The defense gave up more chunk plays and struggled at times against the run, but made the key stops when it mattered most. — Fishbain

Rams can’t capitalize in red zone

Continued issues in the red zone meant field goals instead of touchdowns as the game opened for the Rams, and a 6-0 lead quickly evaporated. The second quarter — including a Bears drive extended by two downfield holding calls on Tre White and Kam Curl (both of which nullified sacks), a Stafford sack-fumble and then a missed field goal.

Sean McVay was particularly expressive about his (and his team’s) red zone issues postgame, as well as the missed protection on the sack fumble and a bad hold on the missed field goal that compounded issues for the Rams through that period. — Jourdan Rodrigue, Rams beat writer

Required reading

  • Caleb Williams, Matthew Stafford share unique QB perspective, mutual admiration
  • Russini’s what I’m hearing: Caleb Williams is not Bryce Young; Kelce problems; Love, Willis or both?
  • Bears’ Shane Waldron takes accountability as Caleb Williams, offense looks to find its way

(Photo by Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

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