The Chicago Bears’ defense took its lumps this season-there’s no sugarcoating that. When they’ve faced top-tier offenses, the results have been ugly.
Detroit dropped a 52-piece on them. Cincinnati and San Francisco each hung 42.
So it’s no surprise that heading into the divisional round, most expect the Rams-armed with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams-to light up the scoreboard.
But here’s the wrinkle: in those blowout losses, one key piece was missing-Kyler Gordon.
Since being drafted in 2022, Gordon has quietly become one of the NFL’s premier slot corners. The Bears have built their nickel coverage around him, and when he’s not on the field, the drop-off is obvious.
Without Gordon, opposing offenses have had a field day attacking the middle of the field. That changed last Saturday.
Gordon returned to full action for the first time since his second stint on Injured Reserve, and while it wasn’t a perfect start, he found his rhythm as the game wore on. Green Bay went after him early and often-targeting him nine times-but only three of those passes were completed.
That’s not just a solid outing; that’s a statement. Gordon’s presence didn’t just stabilize the secondary-it shifted the momentum.
And that’s where things get interesting heading into the matchup with Los Angeles.
The Rams’ offense thrives on exploiting the slot. Nacua, in particular, has been a nightmare for defenses all season.
He’s not just a rising star-he’s already one of the most dangerous weapons in the league when lined up inside. Most teams don’t have an answer for that.
The Bears just might.
Gordon not only brings elite slot coverage skills-he brings familiarity. He and Nacua were teammates at Washington for two years.
They lined up across from each other in practice, day in and day out. That kind of experience doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives Gordon a unique edge.
He knows Nacua’s tendencies, his timing, his footwork. That’s the kind of insight you can’t teach.
The Bears aren’t going to completely shut down the Rams. That’s not the goal.
It’s about slowing them down just enough-taking away a few key third downs, forcing a couple of field goals instead of touchdowns, giving the offense a chance to keep pace. In that effort, Gordon is a critical chess piece.
Last weekend’s game wasn’t just a return to form for Gordon-it was a reminder of how much better this defense looks with him in the lineup. The Bears still have flaws, but with Gordon healthy and locked in, they’ve got a fighting chance against one of the NFL’s most dynamic passing attacks.