Playoff hopefuls fell by the wayside as top seeds in both conferences were upset throughout week 13.
The Bears marched back against the Giants only to lose in overtime. The Colts were shutout by the Jaguars for the first time in the Andrew Luck era. The Panthers and Packers lost to a pair of teams under five wins while the Steelers and Saints lost to lower-tier playoff teams.
For many of those games, the offenses were booming. The Steelers and Chargers totaled 63 points between them and the game ended on a game-winning field goal and three offside penalties. The Chiefs and Raiders surpassed the rest with 73 points as both offenses clicked while both defenses were lackluster.
One week 13 match-up foreshadowed the marquee week 14 clash between two of the brightest and most feared defensive linemen in football.
The Saints and Cowboys played a hard nose, defensive game that ended with 26 points cumulative and the Cowboys as the victor-an unexpected outcome. The Cowboys and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli deserve massive amounts of credit for shutting down the sixth-ranked offense in the NFL.
Drew Brees played, by far, his worst game of the season which bled into the rest of the offense. Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas were virtually non-existent. The duo totaled 112 between them and reached the end-zone approximately zero times.
Dallas manhandled New Orleans causing Bleacher Report to drop New Orleans to the number four spot in their weekly NFL Power Ranking.
This week, Bleacher Reports number one and number eight ranked teams face off in a battle from defense superiority.
LOS ANGELES RAMS vs. CHICAGO BEARS
The Los Angeles Rams enter week 14 with the best record in football, 11-1, and are one of five teams with three consecutive wins or more. During the three-game win streak, the Rams have toppled the number one seed in the AFC, Chiefs, and the leading Wild Card team in the NFC, Seahawks.
In those three games, Los Angeles is averaging 40 points and 437 total yards-complete and utter dominance. Standouts, besides the elite play of Jared Goff, have been Todd Gurley and a combination of receivers Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods.
Gurley's has propelled himself further into MVP consideration by averaging 128 yards and one touchdown during the Rams three-game win streak. Gurley has gashed defenses all season with his legs totaling a league-leading 15 rushing touchdowns. Gurley's elite play carries over into the passing games well, as the running back leads the NFL in touchdowns by a non-quarterback with 19.
A top-tier quarterback and running back duo, Goff and Gurley rank second in total touchdowns with 47, second to the Patrick Mahomes and recently release Kareem Hunt.
Los Angeles' elite offense does not end with Goff and Gurley as the Rams boast two of the most elusive receivers in football.
Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods have combined to average 172 yards and one touchdown in the last three games. On the season, Cooks and Woods have totaled 127 receptions, 1,997 yards and eight touchdowns. The stats may not rank inside the top five or receiver duo but the tandem has been a galvanizing force.
Woods is the slant and expert route running wideout while Cooks is adeep threat. Cooks and Woods lead the NFL with catches over 20 yards with 37-Cooks is second to Chiefs' receiver Tyreek Hill. Cooks is also tied for third with four catches over 40 yards.
An explosive offense for Los Angeles has been matched by a terror causing monstrous defensive line. The Rams defense, led by Aaron Donald's 16.5, has recorded 33 sacks on the season-including 10 in the last three weeks.
Donald is an MVP candidate as an interior defensive lineman. The last defensive player to win the MVP was Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor with the last interior defensive linemen to win being Alan Page in 1971.
Donald is in unprecedented territory and is on pace to narrowly miss setting the single-season sack record. Giving up the 14th most points may not be admirable but having one of the league's best defenders has given Los Angeles the ability to stop any offense.
The Chicago Bears, not only boast the league's eighth-best defense but a former Defensive player of the year in Khalil Mack.
Mack, like Donald, has been on a rampage this season throwing offensive linemen around like rag dolls in pursuit of opposing quarterbacks. Mack currently has nine sacks, tied for seventh in the league, but also ranks second in forced fumbles.
The improved Chicago defense has thrust the Bears to a first-place seat in the NFC North and the third overall seed in the NFC. As of week 13, the Bears rank third in total defense and allow the fourth lowest points and yards per game.
Chicago also leads in the NFL in turnover ratio with a plus 12, just ahead of Los Angeles. Twenty-one of Chicago's 30 turnovers have come via interception, giving the Bears the most dangerous secondary in all of football.
Chicago's ball-hawking secondary paired with a ferocious defensive line might be the Rams kryptonite.
The Rams have played a top ten defense twice this year-Los Angeles won both games by an average of 9.5 points. The key for Los Angeles was keeping momentum by scoring in 10 out of the 20 drives in those games.
Chicago has the perfect formula to halt the quick-striking Los Angeles offense.
After missing the last two weeks, the Bears expect quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to return this week against the Rams. Bears' head coach Matt Nagy said he has a "strong" feeling that Trubisky will be ready to play.
“I feel strongly that he will play, but I’ve got to see more,” Nagy said. “I feel good about it. I hope so, and I’m anxious to get him out there and see him throw the ball around in practice with the guys and evaluate him off of that.”
With Trubisky leading the charge, the Bears average 29.4 points a gem, making Chicago the fourth highest scoring offense in the NFL. If Trubisky is healthy, the Bears are as lethal as any offense. A dual-threat quarterback, Trubisky sits in the top five in rushing yards for a quarterback.
Along with Trubisky, Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen round out the rushing attack for Chicago. The trio has combined for 2,675 giving the Bears an average rushing attack to go along with an average passing game.
Tarik Cohen is the leading receiver for Chicago but it is rookie wideout Anthony Mill who leads the team in touchdowns. The emergence of Miller gives Chicago a plethora of weapons for head coach Matt Nagy and Trubisky to work with.
Eleven different players have scored touchdowns for the Bears including defensive linemen Akiem Hick. Chicago will do whatever it takes to win on Sunday and are not afraid to take big risks if the reward is a victory.
Verdict:
Trubisky returning for Chicago gives the offense a five-point boost in regards to averages but the percentage of Trubisky's health is unknown.
If Trusbisky comes out sharp, the Bears have a good chance to upset the number one seeded Rams but if the quarterback is sloppy, Chicago's chances diminish mightily.
Chicago's defense is elite and can keep the game close with its number two ranked rushing defense. Through the air and on the ground, the Bears can keep Todd Gurley subdued. Chicago's defensive touchdown to interception ratio sits at 1:1, the best in football, meaning Goff will also have his toughest challenge on Sunday.
One of the biggest factors working in the Bears' favor is the home field advantage. According to AccuWeather, Soldier Field's game temperature predicts to be close to 26 degrees.
Chicago knows cold weather. The coldest game the Rams have played all year was in week six, against the Broncos when it was 26 degrees. The Rams won the game by three. Knowing the
Rams will be out of their comfort zone and playing a superior defense, Chicago is the smart pick.
Going against Sean McVay and an offense led by Jared Goff and MVP candidate Todd Gurley may not be the safest pick but are the Rams destined to be 15-1?
Los Angeles first loss came in a shootout with the Saints and this Sunday will be a slobber-knocker against Chicago.
A battle between two of the best defensive players in football will come down to the wire. Vegas has the Rams as three-point favorites, meaning Sunday's game could come down to a game-winning field goal.
Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack will each be out to the prove they are most dominant defensive player in football. Expect to hear their names called multiple times during the broadcast and for them to play a pivotal role in the outcome.
FINAL SCORE: Bears 26, Rams 24
Week 14 Predictions:
Jaguars vs. Titans: Titans 23, Jaguars 13
Panthers vs. Browns: Panthers 29, Browns 23
Ravens vs. Chiefs: Chiefs 28, Ravens 24
Colts vs. Texans: Texans 27, Colts 26
Patriots vs. Dolphins: Patriots 27, Dolphins 23
Giants vs. Redskins: Giants 23, Redskins 20
Saints vs. Buccaneers: Saints 43, Bucs 17
Falcons vs. Packers: Packers 27, Falcons 24
Jets vs. Bills: Bills 23, Jets 16
Bengals vs. Chargers: Chargers 33, Bengals 16
Broncos vs. 49ers: Broncos 27, 49ers 20
Eagles vs. Cowboys: Cowboys 26, Eagles 20
Steelers vs. Raiders: Steelers 33, Raiders 20
Lions vs. Cardinals: Lions 26, Cardinals 17
Vikings vs. Seahawks: Seahawks 27, Vikings 26
Current Record: 119-70-2
*Preview photos are credited to Rams Headquarters & CBS Sports
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