The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a season that feels like a long time coming - and they're doing it under a fresh face at the helm. First-year head coach Ben Johnson has wasted no time making his mark, guiding the Bears to an NFC North title and snapping the franchise’s playoff win drought with a gritty Wild Card comeback over the rival Green Bay Packers.
That alone would’ve been enough to energize the fanbase. But now, Johnson and his squad are shifting their focus to a new challenge: a red-hot Los Angeles Rams team led by MVP candidate Matthew Stafford.
And the task just got tougher.
The Rams are getting a major reinforcement along the offensive line this week, with right guard Kevin Dotson set to return to the starting lineup. That’s a big deal - especially when you consider Chicago’s defense has been the team’s soft spot all season.
Dotson’s presence is more than just a name back on the depth chart. He’s a tone-setter in both the run game and pass protection, and his return could tilt the trenches in L.A.’s favor.
Stafford certainly isn’t downplaying the impact. “He’s a mountain of a man.
He’s a beast,” the veteran quarterback said. “When he was playing this year, I thought he was one of the best, if not the best, guard in the league.”
That’s high praise from a guy who’s seen his share of elite linemen over the years.
And the numbers back it up. With Dotson in the lineup, the Rams average 4.8 yards per carry - a noticeable jump from the 4.0 yards per carry they manage without him.
Even when the run game has been solid in terms of success rate, Dotson’s presence elevates it from functional to formidable. He’s not just opening holes; he’s dictating the flow of the offense.
Fans and analysts alike have taken notice. One observer put it plainly: “This is HUGE for the Rams run game… Dotson takes it from good to great.
He activates so much.” Another chimed in with a bold but not unfounded claim: “Best run blocking guard in the league btw.”
For Chicago, this presents a chess match that Ben Johnson and his defensive staff will need to solve - and fast. The Bears have been riding high on the energy of a revitalized offense led by rookie QB Caleb Williams, but slowing down a Rams offense that’s getting healthier and more dangerous by the week is a different kind of test.
Dotson’s return doesn’t just help Stafford stay clean in the pocket - it also opens up the playbook for Sean McVay. With a more reliable interior line, the Rams can lean on their ground game to keep the Bears’ defense guessing, and that’s where things could get dicey for a Chicago unit that’s struggled to consistently stop the run.
Sunday’s matchup won’t just be about quarterbacks or explosive plays. It’s going to be won - or lost - in the trenches. And with Dotson back in the fold, the Rams just got a whole lot stronger in that department.
The Bears have the momentum, the home crowd, and a head coach who’s already proven he can rally his team in big moments. But they’ll need more than that to contain a Rams offense that just got one of its most important pieces back at the perfect time.