Josh McCown Chicago Bears
In four games this season, Josh McCown's passer rating has never dipped below 90 and he’s completed 60.4 percent of his passes for five touchdowns, filling in for Jay Cutler. Reuters

Hoping to keep pace in the NFC North, the Chicago Bears head to Edward Jones Dome to face the St. Louis Rams on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago’s only second in the division due Week Four’s letdown to Detroit, but a win for the Bears also keeps them in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.

St. Louis is coming off the bye week after smoking Indianapolis 38-8, a defensive performance highlighted by five forced turnovers, and a 98-yard punt return from rookie receiver Tavon Austin. The win snapped St. Louis’s second three-game losing streak of the season.

The 4-6 Rams are sitting just outside of the playoff picture, and a victory would be a huge boost before two straight roadies against NFC West rivals San Francisco and Arizona.

Both clubs are on their second quarterback of the season, and thus far Chicago has fared slightly better.

McCown will start his third game this season for the Bears after guiding the team to a 23-20 overtime victory last week against defending champion Baltimore. In four games this season, the career back-up’s passer rating has never dipped below 90 and he’s completing 60.4 percent of his passes for five touchdowns, filling in for Jay Cutler.

After Sam Bradford tore his ACL, Kellen Clemens stepped in for the last four games, tossing three touchdowns to two picks, and the Rams have gone 1-3.

However the biggest matchup should come from running backs Matt Forte and rookie Zac Stacy. Eventually winning the job due to injuries in the backfield, Stacy has given St. Louis 537 rushing yards on the year, and all three of its rushing touchdowns. Chicago’s Forte is sixth in the NFL with 774 yards and fourth in touchdowns with seven. He’s also proven effective coming out of the backfield, catching 34 passes for 278 yards in Bears victories.

Stacy might have an easier time against Chicago’s front line with defensive tackle Stephen Paea out and newly signed tackle Jay Ratliff still unable to play.

The Rams have listed starting right guard Harvey Dahl as out with a knee injury, but face a Bears defense that’s 29th in the league with 17 sacks.

Betting Odds: St. Louis is favored by 1 point.

Over/Under: 45.5 points

Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV Channel: FOX

Live Stream Info: NFL Sunday Ticket

Prediction: Chicago 24, St. Louis 17

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