As Rams learn, defense gives Bears shot at deep playoff run

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With the NFL on pace to shatter scoring records this season, it's good to know defense can still rule the day.
With the Bears playing a schedule that hasn't served up a lot of tough draws in recent weeks, the Sunday night showdown with the Rams at Soldier Field had been anticipated for much of the Bears season. It was just the third time since 2000 that the Bears played at home in December with both teams at least four games above .500.
Eyebrows were raised three weeks ago when the Rams in a "Monday Night Football" shootout with the Chiefs scored a victory in the first regulation game in league history in which both teams eclipsed 50 points.
"The score isn't what I'd like to see as a connoisseur," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio quipped at the time.
Well, Fangio and his defense went out and did something about it, leading the Bears to a 15-6 victory over the Rams. Yes, six points allowed is much more appealing to Fangio and happens to be the lowest output in two years for the Rams under coach Sean McVay. The Rams had scored 29 points or more in every game but one this season, and that was in a 23-20 win in Denver on Oct. 14.
If defense wins championships, the Bears (9-4) figure to have a chance to at least make a deep playoff run, and they can clinch a playoff berth as early as next week. They still need to do some climbing to gain one of the top two seeds in the NFC and earn a first-round bye. The Saints and Rams are both 11-2, two games ahead, with the Saints holding the tiebreaker between those teams based on a head-to-head victory.
The outcome on this cold night should give the Bears confidence that as the No. 3 seed -- and that's where they are in the NFC playoff picture -- they could travel to the No. 2 Rams in the divisional round and win a game.
What's interesting is in the last two weeks, the two highest-octane offenses in the NFC have been shut down. The Cowboys suffocated the Saints 13-10 on Nov. 29 and here the Rams had the power turned out on them as Jared Goff was forced into a career-high four interceptions and running back Todd Gurley, who entered the week as the NFL's leading rusher, went nowhere, gaining only 28 yards on 11 carries.
While much of the focus entering the game was on Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a front-runner for NFL defensive player of the year honors, he wasn't a game-wrecker, and the Bears' line was more impressive.
It was a dominating effort and affirms the Bears are for real.
But Sunday night's game also certainly raises questions about the Bears offense as quarterback Mitch Trubisky had a rocky outing after missing the last two games with a right shoulder injury. Trubisky was intercepted three times for the first time this season and finished only 16 of 30 for 110 yards. The lone highlight was a new Matt Nagy wrinkle at the goal line when Trubisky threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tackle-eligible Bradley Sowell.
The Rams totaled only 98 yards and six first downs in the first half, their lowest totals this season, and the Bears defense took command at the start of the third quarter when nose tackle Eddie Goldman sacked Goff for a safety and an 8-6 lead. After the free kick, the Bears mounted their best drive of the game to score on the latest goal-line gadget play.
It looked like the Bears were in trouble when John Johnson intercepted Trubisky late in the third quarter on a badly thrown pass for tight end Trey Burton, but on the next play Kyle Fuller broke on a telegraphed Goff throw for Josh Reynolds and came up with his seventh interception, tied for the most in the NFL.
The Bears totaled only three sacks, but Goff never looked comfortable in the pocket, and they came at opportune times as Akiem Hicks dropped him on fourth-and-4 with 4:28 remaining to give the ball back to the offense on the Rams 26-yard line.
When the rush didn't get home, Goff looked like a jittery rookie. The Bears did a nice job of matching the inside seam routes the Rams like and taking away what are rhythm throws for Goff. The defensive backs did a good job of staying on top of the play-action shots he did take and they did a good job of tackling after the catch on in-breaking routes. They did so for much of the game without nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan, who was lost to a foot injury and replaced by veteran Sherrick McManis. That's concerning because Callahan has played so well and had been able to remain injury-free to this point.
While Trubisky was off, the Bears got a season-high 101 rushing rushing from Jordan Howard and ran for a team total of 194 yards, which bodes well. Beating high-powered offenses in the playoffs will take defense and complimentary football, which could mean more games in which Nagy actually commits to the run and sticks with it.
Instead of worrying about the offensive approach, savor a resounding victory for the defense.