Los Angeles Rams vs Chicago Bears odds, expert tips, how to watch: Can Caleb Williams continue to improve?

Last week, Chicago Bears fans finally got a taste when quarterback Caleb Williams managed to put up half-decent stats and seemed to find a connection with fellow top-10 player Rome Odunze. But there is still a lot to do. If the Rams weren’t the wounded, Chicago would be the underdog and not the slight favorite. (Odunze has had limited practice this week but is expected to play on Sunday.)

So what should you think of the favored Bears team for three weeks?

First, the good.

After two weeks of unimaginative playcalling, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron finally adjusted his approach to the existing personnel. In Week 3, the Bears dramatically increased their use of motion and play-action, giving Williams more time to throw than he had all season. In addition, Gerald Everett’s routes continued to be assigned to the far more dynamic Cole Kmet and Odunze’s routes and destinations were also expanded. Both thrived with more attention.

Chicago has a great defense and will therefore be within striking distance in most games, and Williams’ playmaking ability should come to the fore more regularly as plans focus on the best pass-catchers.

The bad thing is obvious: they have no offensive line. Opposing pass rushers are given free access to the backfield, and the lack of any semblance of a running attack doesn’t help. Williams looks like a newbie, but it’s hard to gain experience when he’s running for his life before class can begin.

The Rams may come in as underdogs, but they have the better coaching staff and a much better quarterback at this point. Matthew Stafford just pulled off a miracle win against the Niners, making high-pressure throw after high-pressure throw despite being behind with his two lead receivers. And don’t forget that head coach Sean McVay was Waldron’s former mentor in LA.

That familiarity could well be an advantage, as the Rams don’t have a particularly fearsome defense. If they can stay one step ahead of the Bears’ playcallers and force Chicago’s defense into overtime, Stafford has the experience to take advantage of any slip-ups.

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Find them here.

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Odds for the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears

How to watch Rams vs. Bears

• Venue: Soldier Field – Chicago
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Streaming: Fubo (try for free)

Expert picks for Rams vs. Bears

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(Photo by Caleb Williams: Michael Hickey / Getty Images)