Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams 2019: Prediction Against The Spread, Odds, Preview For Week 11

The “Sunday Night Football” game in Week 11 features a matchup between two of the NFC’s most disappointing teams in the 2019 NFL season. The Los Angeles Rams host the Chicago Bears with both teams looking for a win to improve their chance of earning a wild-card berth.

It’s all but certain that neither defending division champion will finish the regular season in first place. At a game under .500, Chicago trails the Green Bay Packers by 3.5 games in the NFC North. Los Angeles has a winning record, but they play in the league’s best division, trailing the first-place San Francisco 49ers by three games.

The Rams are a game ahead of the Bears in the wild-card standings, though Sunday’s betting line suggests there is a significant gap between the two teams. Los Angeles is favored by seven points at home, according to OddsShark. The over/under is 41.5.

The Bears caught a break in Week 10 when they faced Jeff Driskel instead of an injured Matthew Stafford. Chicago defeated the Detroit Lions 20-13, snapping a four-game losing streak both straight up and against the spread.

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Rams 17-12 in Week 10. Los Angeles has lost four of its last six games.

These aren’t just two teams that can’t win consistently. They have both struggled to move the ball, potentially making this a close, low-scoring game.

Mitchell Trubisky’s issues have been well-documented throughout the season. The quarterback had his best game of the season when he threw three touchdown passes against the Lions. Trubisky was still limited to just 173 yards through the air. He hasn’t thrown for more than 253 yards in a game this season.

Chicago is 30th in yards per play, 29th in total offense and 27th in points per game.

Los Angeles is 16th in yards per play, 12th in total offense and 10th in points per game. It’s a far cry from where they ranked in the team’s first two seasons under head coach Sean McVay.

Jared Goff’s 82.7 passer rating actually puts him behind Trubisky. Goff has the worst passer rating of any quarterback that was drafted prior to 2018 and hasn’t been benched at some point this season.

The Rams’ offense looked fine a few weeks ago when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals. Atlanta and Cincinnati have two of the worst defenses in the league.

Chicago still has a top defense. The Bears ranks third in opponents’ yards per play and fourth in scoring defense. Only the New Orleans Saints have put up more than 24 points on Chicago.

Many of the Rams’ offensive struggles can be traced to the offensive line. That’s going to be an issue against the Bears’ pass rush, even if Khalil Mack and Chicago don’t have the sack numbers they did a year ago. Goff has been sacked four times in each of the Los Angeles’ last two losses.

The Rams will be without two starting offensive linemen. Center Brian Allen is done for the season with a knee injury and right tackle Rob Havenstein won’t play Sunday. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been ruled out with a concussion.

Todd Gurley isn’t the same dynamic playmaker that once garnered MVP buzz, averaging 53.5 yards per game on 4.1 yards per rush. The Bears are fourth in the NFL, giving up just 3.7 yards per carry.

Los Angeles is giving up 3.3 yards per rush, ranking the Rams first in the NFC. L.A. is fifth overall, allowing 5.0 yards per play.

When the Rams visited Soldier Field last December, Chicago beat Los Angeles 15-6.

The total has gone under in four of the Rams’ last five games and 11 of the Bears’ last 14 games, per OddsShark. There won’t be many touchdowns in this primetime matchup.

With a relatively large point spread and the likelihood of few points being scored, Chicago is the best bet Sunday night.

Prediction: Los Angeles over Chicago, 20-16