The Los Angeles Rams looked to get back to their winning ways after suffering a divisional week 7 loss to the 49ers after a lackluster performance.
Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns and the Rams went on to defeat the Chicago Bears 24-10 on Monday Night Football at SoFi Stadium to improve to 5-2 on the season.
“Great job by our team to get the win tonight,” said Rams coach Sean McVay. “I thought our defense was outstanding from start to finish, some key turnovers, some key fourth down stops.”
The Rams (5-2) recorded four sacks and two interceptions, making plays all over the field while getting pressure up front on the line of scrimmage.
“Our defense played as good as they did all year and that’s exciting,” said Goff.
Los Angeles also held a huge advantage running the football, outrushing Chicago 161 to 49 and controlled a 32:35 to 27:25 time of possession margin.
Second year tailback Darrell Henderson rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries, while Malcolm Brown had 10 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown.
“I thought we ran the ball really well and in the pass game did a really good job making plays after the catch.”
Los Angeles got things rolling when Goff connected with Josh Reynolds for a 4-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead in the first.
With the score, Goff passed quarterback Bob Waterfield to rank sixth in franchise history for most touchdowns with (98) total.
Reynolds led the Rams in receiving with four receptions for 52 yards and a score, while Johnny Mundt had three for 47 yards.
“We got back to what we’re supposed to be doing,” said Reynolds on the win. “When everything kind of broke down, we still made plays instead of taking negative plays.”
Bears (5-2) play caller Nick Foles threw for 261 for yards and two interceptions, failing to get his offense in groove throughout the game. Chicago failed to score on two red zone trips.
The Rams held a 10-3 lead at halftime where both teams’ defenses looked to outshine the other.
Rams linebacker and ex Bear, Leonard Floyd was rewarded a game ball following the win, recording six tackles and two sacks on the night against his former team.
“Getting the game ball was a blessing,” said Floyd. “I just went out and played hard and I got rewarded for it.”
In the third, Rams cornerback Troy Hill made a great play and tipped a ball intended for Darnell Mooney which landed in the hands of second year safety Taylor Rapp for the interception.
The turnover ended a six-play, three-minute drive for the Bears and halted all momentum Chicago had built up, resulting in more scores for the Rams.
Goff then went on an eight play 80 yard drive and connected with Gerald Everett for a 12-yard touchdown, only after Brown had found the end zone on a 1-yard score to give the Rams a commanding 24-3 lead with 1:34 remaining in the third.
In the fourth, Rams receiver Robert Woods fumbled on a jet sweep and resulted in a scoop and score touchdown by Eddie Jackson to cut the Bears deficit to 24-10 with 7:30 left.
“I don’t ever remember having our own defense score more than our offense,” Bears coach Matt Naggy said. “That’s hard to do. That part I don’t like and that bothers me.”
On the Bears next possession, Foles floated a pass intended for Jimmy Graham but was instead intercepted by All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, all but ending the game at 24-10 in favor of Los Angeles.
The Rams next will hit the road to take on the Miami Dolphins (3-3), who will be starting Tua Tagovailoa for the first time of his career on Nov.1 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.
