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7 things to watch: Rams vs. Bears
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_d10267dc-b7e2-5b8c-829d-44d3a81c0dd0.html
LITTLE BROTHER, BUT NO BIG BROTHER
A knee injury prevents DE Chris Long from going head-to-head with his younger brother, Bears RT Kyle Long. Instead, it’s veteran William Hayes lining up over Kyle. The two have a history. Two years ago in St. Louis, Hayes got under Kyle’s skin to the point where he shoved Hayes down from behind, then jumped onto Hayes, drawing a penalty. “Kyle’s a little hot-headed, so it’s easy to get to him,” Hayes said, smiling. “Kyle’s a good friend of mine, but he knows come Sunday I’m gonna try my best to get up under skin.”
ALL ALSHON, ALL THE TIME
First-round draft pick Kevin White remains on the PUP list following surgery to repair a stress fracture of the left tibia. Veteran Eddie Royal misses his second straight game with a knee injury. When it comes to wideouts, that leaves the Chicago passing game in the hands of Alshon Jeffery. He’s a big target (6-3, 216) and a master at coming down with contested balls. He has been targeted a whopping 42 times over the past 3 games with 28 catches for 414 yards in those contests, but is questionable with a groin injury.
ROOKIE THREAT
Two-time Pro Bowler Matt Forte is expected to miss his second straight game with a knee injury, but Jeremy Langford proved to be a more than capable replacement Monday against San Diego. The rookie from Michigan State accounted for 142 yards rushing/receiving (and a TD) vs. the Chargers. Whereas Forte is more of a smooth, gliding runner, Langford hits the hole hard, showing good burst and acceleration. Beware of him in the passing game; the Bears already are using him in a variety of ways.
DON’T SLEEP ON JAY
Under new offensive coordinator Adam Gase and QBs coach Dowell Loggains, Jay Cutler is playing more efficient, savvy football and minimizing mistakes. Last season under the previous coaching regime, Cutler had 24 turnovers via either an INT or lost fumble. Midway through this season, he has only seven — although he had his first multiple turnover game of 2015 vs. San Diego with a lost fumble and a “pick 6.” Cutler is getting the ball out quickly against pressure, and still has one of the game’s strongest arms.
KEY MATCHUP
DE Robert Quinn had played in 70 consecutive games before sitting out last week’s Minnesota contest with a knee injury. But Quinn, who has more sacks than all but two NFL players (J.J. Watt and Justin Houston) since the start of the 2012 season, is expected to play this week. He’ll face inexperienced but athletic Bears LT Charles Leno Jr., who has played well enough to hold off veteran Jermon Bushrod. Leno gave up a sack fumble on Chicago’s second possession against San Diego that ended a promising drive.
NO-NAME DEFENSE
Think about all the great players who made Chicago’s defense the Monsters of the Midway over the years. Then look at the Bears’ current defensive lineup. That’s right, there’s a distinctive lack of star power for coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit. And the best performer of the bunch, OLB Pernell McPhee, didn’t practice all week with a knee injury. Chicago switched to a 3-4 this season, Fangio has done a good job of masking weaknesses, and the Bears come to town ranked 9th in total defense.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS?
Rams special teams have only one return TD this year, and that came all the way back in the season opener against Seattle. Similarly, they haven’t had a kickoff return go longer than 39 yards in 2015. And now come the Bears, who have allowed three return touchdowns this year — two on kickoff returns and one via punt return. Chicago ranks 31st in kickoff coverage, yielding nearly 30 yards per return, and is 27th in punt coverage, yielding 11.2 yards per return. Tavon Austin, Benny Cunningham — you’re up.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_d10267dc-b7e2-5b8c-829d-44d3a81c0dd0.html
LITTLE BROTHER, BUT NO BIG BROTHER
A knee injury prevents DE Chris Long from going head-to-head with his younger brother, Bears RT Kyle Long. Instead, it’s veteran William Hayes lining up over Kyle. The two have a history. Two years ago in St. Louis, Hayes got under Kyle’s skin to the point where he shoved Hayes down from behind, then jumped onto Hayes, drawing a penalty. “Kyle’s a little hot-headed, so it’s easy to get to him,” Hayes said, smiling. “Kyle’s a good friend of mine, but he knows come Sunday I’m gonna try my best to get up under skin.”
ALL ALSHON, ALL THE TIME
First-round draft pick Kevin White remains on the PUP list following surgery to repair a stress fracture of the left tibia. Veteran Eddie Royal misses his second straight game with a knee injury. When it comes to wideouts, that leaves the Chicago passing game in the hands of Alshon Jeffery. He’s a big target (6-3, 216) and a master at coming down with contested balls. He has been targeted a whopping 42 times over the past 3 games with 28 catches for 414 yards in those contests, but is questionable with a groin injury.
ROOKIE THREAT
Two-time Pro Bowler Matt Forte is expected to miss his second straight game with a knee injury, but Jeremy Langford proved to be a more than capable replacement Monday against San Diego. The rookie from Michigan State accounted for 142 yards rushing/receiving (and a TD) vs. the Chargers. Whereas Forte is more of a smooth, gliding runner, Langford hits the hole hard, showing good burst and acceleration. Beware of him in the passing game; the Bears already are using him in a variety of ways.
DON’T SLEEP ON JAY
Under new offensive coordinator Adam Gase and QBs coach Dowell Loggains, Jay Cutler is playing more efficient, savvy football and minimizing mistakes. Last season under the previous coaching regime, Cutler had 24 turnovers via either an INT or lost fumble. Midway through this season, he has only seven — although he had his first multiple turnover game of 2015 vs. San Diego with a lost fumble and a “pick 6.” Cutler is getting the ball out quickly against pressure, and still has one of the game’s strongest arms.
KEY MATCHUP
DE Robert Quinn had played in 70 consecutive games before sitting out last week’s Minnesota contest with a knee injury. But Quinn, who has more sacks than all but two NFL players (J.J. Watt and Justin Houston) since the start of the 2012 season, is expected to play this week. He’ll face inexperienced but athletic Bears LT Charles Leno Jr., who has played well enough to hold off veteran Jermon Bushrod. Leno gave up a sack fumble on Chicago’s second possession against San Diego that ended a promising drive.
NO-NAME DEFENSE
Think about all the great players who made Chicago’s defense the Monsters of the Midway over the years. Then look at the Bears’ current defensive lineup. That’s right, there’s a distinctive lack of star power for coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit. And the best performer of the bunch, OLB Pernell McPhee, didn’t practice all week with a knee injury. Chicago switched to a 3-4 this season, Fangio has done a good job of masking weaknesses, and the Bears come to town ranked 9th in total defense.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS?
Rams special teams have only one return TD this year, and that came all the way back in the season opener against Seattle. Similarly, they haven’t had a kickoff return go longer than 39 yards in 2015. And now come the Bears, who have allowed three return touchdowns this year — two on kickoff returns and one via punt return. Chicago ranks 31st in kickoff coverage, yielding nearly 30 yards per return, and is 27th in punt coverage, yielding 11.2 yards per return. Tavon Austin, Benny Cunningham — you’re up.
