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Already known is that the Bears will be without Tommie Harris. Expect the Bears to announce pro-bowl CB Vasher inactive and starting safety Todd Johnson (replacing pro-bowl S Mike Brown on IR) to be replaced by Mike Green. That makes 3 pro-bowl defenders out for the Bears tonight. Mike Green was replaced at S by Daniel Manning this year because of his limited range in coverage which could help open up the deep passes tonight. Vasher will be replaced by Ricky Manning Jr, who is very effective, but the new nickel back will now be rookie Devin Hester who was drafted for his punt-return ability and not his abilities as a corner. DT Tommie Harris loss will be felt more by his one-dimensional replacements. Boone and Ian Scott are very good at defending the run but poor at rushing the passer, Tank Johnson is the opposite but is slightly hobbled by a bum knee. The Bears would also like to move some of their DEs inside to DT to get some interior pass rush.
TEMPO:
I expect the Rams to go to multiple WR fronts and also perhaps a no-huddle offense to keep the DL substitutions from the Bears to a minimum. The Bears will want to establish the run against one of the worst run defenses in the league. When Grossman passes he likes to throw downfield and is very agressive. Should be a high-scoring game.
MATCHUPS:
- Bears will stay in their base cover 2 and not move around their corners, allowing the Rams to get the matchups they want with their WRs against a banged up secondary.
- Rams have not been protecting the passer well since Orlando Pace was put on IR and they will need to move around the pocket, chip with the backs, protect with the TE, etc to stop the rush.
FAMILIARITY:
Lovie Smith was the Rams DC before becoming HC of the Bears. Linehan was OC for the Vikings for awhile before moving to the Dolphins and on to the Rams as HC.
MOTIVATION:
The Rams are playing for a playoff-spot at home; the Bears have clinched a playoff spot and are playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Rams QB Bulger has recently called out teammates for not caring whether they win or lose just about getting their paycheck. Linehan has asked the team to look at the next 4 games as a new season and they need to sweep to make the playoffs. Bears QB Grossman is fighting for his job and may be replaced at halftime if he performes poorly in the 1st half. Advantage: Rams
RECOMMENDED WAGERS:
1) Over 41 (buy from 41.5)
2) STL +7 (buy from 6.5)
3) STL ML +245
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from Pat Kirwan at nfl.com:
IF YOU LIKE THE BEARS KEEP THESE POINTS IN MIND
1. The Bears are No. 1 in the NFL in punt return average.
2. The Bears are undefeated in the NFC (8-0).
3. Chicago is the top team in the NFL in field goal percentage (21 of 22 from over 30 yards).
4. Chicago has 39 takeaways this season, tops in the league averaging three per game.
5. The Bears have the No. 2 defense in the NFL and No. 1 in average gain per pass.
6. Grossman has thrown more TD passes than any Bears QB in 11 years.
7. Chicago has allowed the fewest points per game with 12.5.
8. St. Louis is only averaging 16 points per game in its last five games.
9. The Rams are last in yards given up per play and the Bears are No. 1.
10. The Bears only give up 12.6 points per game on the road.
IF YOU LIKE THE RAMS KEEP THESE POINTS IN MIND
1. St. Louis has won its last five home games played on Monday night.
2. The Rams have won four straight games against the Bears.
3. Grossman has thrown 14 picks in the last seven games.
4. The Bears allowed 192 yards rushing last week against Minnesota.
5. In three of the last five games, the Bears defense has given up plus-150 yards rushing per game.
6. St. Louis has averaged 27 points per game in its last five games Monday Night Football.
7. The Bears only average 3.57 yards per rush.
8. The Rams are the best offense in the NFL in giving up interceptions.
9. Chicago has lost seven straight on MNF and 1-10 all time.
TEMPO:
I expect the Rams to go to multiple WR fronts and also perhaps a no-huddle offense to keep the DL substitutions from the Bears to a minimum. The Bears will want to establish the run against one of the worst run defenses in the league. When Grossman passes he likes to throw downfield and is very agressive. Should be a high-scoring game.
MATCHUPS:
- Bears will stay in their base cover 2 and not move around their corners, allowing the Rams to get the matchups they want with their WRs against a banged up secondary.
- Rams have not been protecting the passer well since Orlando Pace was put on IR and they will need to move around the pocket, chip with the backs, protect with the TE, etc to stop the rush.
FAMILIARITY:
Lovie Smith was the Rams DC before becoming HC of the Bears. Linehan was OC for the Vikings for awhile before moving to the Dolphins and on to the Rams as HC.
MOTIVATION:
The Rams are playing for a playoff-spot at home; the Bears have clinched a playoff spot and are playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Rams QB Bulger has recently called out teammates for not caring whether they win or lose just about getting their paycheck. Linehan has asked the team to look at the next 4 games as a new season and they need to sweep to make the playoffs. Bears QB Grossman is fighting for his job and may be replaced at halftime if he performes poorly in the 1st half. Advantage: Rams
RECOMMENDED WAGERS:
1) Over 41 (buy from 41.5)
2) STL +7 (buy from 6.5)
3) STL ML +245
--------------------------
from Pat Kirwan at nfl.com:
IF YOU LIKE THE BEARS KEEP THESE POINTS IN MIND
1. The Bears are No. 1 in the NFL in punt return average.
2. The Bears are undefeated in the NFC (8-0).
3. Chicago is the top team in the NFL in field goal percentage (21 of 22 from over 30 yards).
4. Chicago has 39 takeaways this season, tops in the league averaging three per game.
5. The Bears have the No. 2 defense in the NFL and No. 1 in average gain per pass.
6. Grossman has thrown more TD passes than any Bears QB in 11 years.
7. Chicago has allowed the fewest points per game with 12.5.
8. St. Louis is only averaging 16 points per game in its last five games.
9. The Rams are last in yards given up per play and the Bears are No. 1.
10. The Bears only give up 12.6 points per game on the road.
IF YOU LIKE THE RAMS KEEP THESE POINTS IN MIND
1. St. Louis has won its last five home games played on Monday night.
2. The Rams have won four straight games against the Bears.
3. Grossman has thrown 14 picks in the last seven games.
4. The Bears allowed 192 yards rushing last week against Minnesota.
5. In three of the last five games, the Bears defense has given up plus-150 yards rushing per game.
6. St. Louis has averaged 27 points per game in its last five games Monday Night Football.
7. The Bears only average 3.57 yards per rush.
8. The Rams are the best offense in the NFL in giving up interceptions.
9. Chicago has lost seven straight on MNF and 1-10 all time.