Bears Defense Rises to the Challenge, But Offense Comes Up Short in OT Loss to Rams
The Chicago Bears may have come up short on the scoreboard, but their defense showed up in a big way against the NFL’s top-ranked offense. Facing a Los Angeles Rams unit that entered the game averaging over 30 points and 400 yards per contest, the Bears’ defense didn’t just hold its own-they made life difficult for one of the league’s most explosive attacks.
Even in a 20-17 overtime loss, Dennis Allen’s group delivered one of its most complete performances of the season. They held Matthew Stafford-who’s been playing at an MVP level-to zero touchdown passes.
That’s no small feat when you consider the weapons he’s working with. Puka Nacua, the breakout star and second-leading receiver in the league, was held to just 56 yards.
The Rams’ ground game, led by Kyrien Williams, was kept in check too, managing 111 yards on 31 carries-an average of just 3.6 yards per rush.
For a Rams offense that’s been lighting up scoreboards all year, 340 total yards felt pedestrian. The frigid conditions at Soldier Field certainly played a role, but credit goes to Allen and his defensive staff for crafting a game plan that frustrated Sean McVay’s high-octane scheme from start to finish.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson made no attempt to hide his admiration for the defense’s effort.
“That’s part of the shame,” Johnson said postgame. “Our defense played their tails off.
They did. I thought they did a great job.
That’s the number one offense in football, both yards and points, and I thought Dennis and the defensive coaching staff, they had a great plan.”
He wasn’t wrong. The Bears forced eight punts, including four three-and-outs. They even opened overtime by forcing another quick stop, giving the offense a golden opportunity to steal the win.
But that’s where things unraveled.
On the Bears’ first possession in overtime, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was picked off for the third time in the game. He was targeting DJ Moore on a crossing route, but the timing and communication were off-something Williams admitted afterward. That turnover flipped the field, and the Rams capitalized, marching 54 yards in 10 plays to set up the game-winning field goal.
If there’s one stat that didn’t swing in Chicago’s favor, it was takeaways. While the Bears’ defense flirted with a few, they couldn’t come up with one. The Rams, on the other hand, forced three, and that proved to be the difference in a game where every possession mattered.
Now that the Bears’ season is officially in the books, changes are inevitable. But if there’s a silver lining to this loss, it’s the performance of the defense.
They didn’t just survive against the league’s best-they made a statement. And if this group can stay healthy and build on this foundation, expectations for Year 2 under Ben Johnson are only going to grow.
For a franchise that’s long prided itself on defensive identity, Sunday felt like a return to form. The offense may have faltered, but the defense gave Chicago a fighting chance-and that’s something to build on.