Ex-Scout Says Chicago Bears Have Overlooked Advantage Vs. Rams

Many don't predict the Chicago Bears to beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. It isn't hard to see why. They still have Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay, giving them a decisive advantage at the two most critical jobs in the sport. Chicago has a healthier and deeper roster. Los Angeles is horribly banged up in several areas. Purely on paper, this is a game the Bears should be able to win, especially at home. Yet the ongoing ineptitude on offense makes it impossible to trust they will be prepared for such a critical game.

However, not everyone thinks the Rams' advantage is decisive. Former longtime scout Greg Gabriel thinks the Bears can and will win the game, and not for the reasons most would think. He made sure to point out something a lot of people overlook ahead of this game—something that could give the team a decisive advantage.

"Don’t forget that there are two Bears offensive coaches who worked under Rams Head Coach Sean McVay. Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron and Passing Game Coordinator Thomas Brown spent four and three seasons, respectively, under McVay. If anyone should know McVay’s tendencies, it’s these guys, and they want to beat their mentor."

This idea isn't so crazy for the Chicago Bears.

Since McVay became a head coach in 2017, he has faced former subordinates six times in head-to-head matchups. He is 1-5 in those games. More importantly, the Rams offense averaged a pedestrian 16.67 points per game in those meetings. So, what Gabriel says has some truth to it. Former assistants who worked with McVay seemed to have a clear understanding of his tendencies and knew how to counter them. If Matt Eberflus is smart enough to listen to Waldron and Brown's advice, he should have a sound game plan ready for Sunday.

Of course, Eberflus' credibility isn't exactly high at the moment. His team has looked woefully underprepared since the season began. His defense has looked good, but the head coach is responsible for all three phases. To beat McVay, the Chicago Bears have to score points. They can't count on the defense holding the Rams to 14-17 points. The offense must do its part for once. Score early and force L.A. to play from behind. It is how they lost their first two games and almost their third before that wild comeback over San Francisco.

Knowing the Bears as we do, it's hard to trust they can do that.