7 pivotal plays from Rams' Week 1 win vs. Bears

[theramswire.usatoday.com]
7 pivotal plays from Rams' Week 1 win vs. Bears


Cameron DaSilva
September 14, 2021 5:45 am PT

Games in the NFL often come down to a select few plays that decide the outcome. Although the Rams were in complete control against the Bears on Sunday night, seven plays stood out as being pivotal moments in the game that helped lift Los Angeles to victory.

There are some obvious selections, like Matthew Stafford’s two deep touchdown passes, but a couple of other plays pushed the Rams over the finish line with the victory.

1
David Long Jr.’s interception
This was a huge turning point in the game. The Bears got all the way to the Rams’ 3-yard line on the opening drive, though a false start pushed them back 5 yards to make it third-and-6 from the 8. Andy Dalton tried to hit Darnell Mooney in the end zone to put the Bears up six points early, but Kenny Young tipped the pass and Long picked it off to completely flip the momentum.

If not for that interception, the Bears would’ve gone up at least three points to start the game, putting some semblance of pressure on the Rams to respond.



2
67-yard TD pass to Van Jefferson
Los Angeles wasted no time turning the tide, with Matthew Stafford hitting Van Jefferson for a 67-yard touchdown on the Rams’ third play of the game. So rather than potentially going down 3-0 or 7-0, the Rams took a 7-0 lead just four minutes into the night.

It was a great route by Jefferson and a perfect throw by Stafford, hitting his receiver in stride deep down the field.



3
Fourth-down stop on Bears’ second drive
Now down 7-0, the Bears needed a response to the Rams’ touchdown. They moved the ball well to start the drive, getting to the Rams’ 41-yard line before facing a fourth-and-1. Dalton foolishly tested Jalen Ramsey in coverage, who was all over Allen Robinson.

The pass fell incomplete and the Rams took over, maintaining their lead – and later increasing it to 10-0 on the ensuing drive. That was a big stop to maintain the momentum.



4
13-yard pass to Jefferson on fourth down
This is a slightly underrated play in the game because it wasn’t a scoring play or one that went for a huge gain, but it was an important completion. On fourth-and-1 from the Bears’ 32-yard line, Sean McVay opted to go for it and put the ball in his quarterback’s hands.

Stafford rolled out and threaded a pass over an outstretched defender for a 13-yard completion, continuing the drive. The Rams settled for a field goal a few plays later, but a 22-yarder is much easier to make than a 49-yarder, which is what Matt Gay would’ve attempted had the Rams not gone for it on fourth.



5
56-yard TD pass to Cooper Kupp
The Bears pulled to within six points just before halftime, with David Montgomery’s 3-yard touchdown run making the score 13-7. The Rams got the ball to start the second half, so they chose to kneel down and go into the break up six.

The first drive of the second half was a pivotal one because had the Rams stalled, the Bears would’ve gotten the ball back with a chance to take the lead. Instead, Stafford hit Robert Woods for 19 yards on third-and-10, and on the next play, he found Kupp for a 56-yard touchdown to make it 20-7.



6
18-yard pass to Kupp on third-and-1
Late in the third quarter, the Rams were up 20-14 after Justin Fields’ 3-yard touchdown run. Once again needing to put points on the board, the Rams faced third-and-1 from the Bears’ 18-yard line. Stafford went to his most reliable target, hitting Kupp on a slant to the left side. Kupp shook one defender loose then spun down to the 1-yard line, setting up first and goal.

One play later, Darrell Henderson Jr. punched it in for a touchdown, putting Los Angeles up 27-14. A failed conversion on third down there would’ve either set up a 35-yard field goal try or a fourth-and-1, with a failed attempt giving the ball back to Chicago only up 20-14.



7
Justin Hollins’ sack in fourth quarter
The Bears had a chance to pull a bit closer with about 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter and trailing the Rams 27-14. But on first-and-10 from the Rams’ 25-yard line, Aaron Donald broke through the line and pressured Dalton, flushing him out of the pocket and allowing Hollins to clean things up with a 15-yard sack. That pushed the Bears out of field goal range and put them at the Rams’ 40-yard line, which they never recovered from.

So rather than having a chance to make it a one-score game, Hollins’ sack – with an assist from Donald – pushed Chicago way back at a critical part of the game.