Week 7 Monday Night Football

Chicago Bears @ Los Angeles Rams

Matchup Basics

Matchup Insight

Our Monday night game throws two teams with + .500 records against each other in the 5-1 Bears and the 4-2 Rams. This match looks to be a thrilling matchup, with QB's that have both been to the super bowl in the last three years. Offensively these teams have been a mixed bag to start the season, with Nick Foles throwing great long balls but lacking with accuracy in his short and medium routes. Jared Goff has also struggled with his accuracy in pressured situations recording only a 43 QBR when under pressure. 

Defensively these two teams have been stout to begin the season with the Bears having one of the best all-round units we have had the privilege to watch to start the season. The Bears have been allowing less than 32% conversions on 3rd downs, ranking 2nd in the league. Their red zone defence is incredible, giving up only eight red-zone TDs this year at a league-best 36%, 10% better than the next best team. Their ability to get to the passer without sending a lot of men forward shows the talent on the defensive line led by stalwart Khalil Mack.

The Bears defensively have also been brilliant allowing only 35% completions on 3rd down and registering 20 sacks already. Aaron Donald is the leader of this defence and is almost a lock for defensive player of the year if he keeps up his current form. Donald has sacked the quarterback 7.5 times already this season, and the disruption he causes in the middle of the field is second to none. These two teams pass rushes both rank in the top 6 in the NFL so we should see a lot of action in the backfield.

The Rams games this season have come up against much inferior opposition than the Bears. The Rams have lost to the 49ers and the Bills who both look like middling teams who would not make much noise if they were to make the playoffs. The four wins the Rams have are against the 4 NFC East teams which is the worst division in the history of the NFL, with only seven wins between them through 28 games. The Bears have managed to topple some pretty good teams in the Bucs and the underrated Panthers. Jimmy Graham gets a great matchup in this game with 4 TDs already; he's looking like Foles go-to red-zone target.

The Last Word

If you love watching defensive football, then you're going to love this game. There will not be a lot of points to be had in this one with every possession in the opponent's half being vital. Look at the total under and the Bears Plus both as great value in this one. If you're a fan of kicker props, the kickers will be keeping busy, and the punters may have to work harder than they have all season. Enjoy your Monday Madness football and don't forget to limit expectations if you're after a point filled game.