L.A.'s offence has a new leader as quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams open the season at home against the Chicago Bears.
Both the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams are entering the 2021–22 NFL season with exciting new quarterbacks, albeit only one is starting in the season’s first edition of Sunday Night Football. Apologies to Andy Dalton, but the starter worth getting excited about is Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles, as the former first-overall pick might be just what Sean McVay’s offence has been missing in order to become a contender again.
Kickoff at SoFi Stadium is set for 8:20 EST.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday night’s bout features one of the largest and most lopsided spreads of the week, as the Rams are sitting as 7.5-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, while receiving 79 per cent of bets on Sports Interaction. Both teams made the playoffs a year ago, but it’s safe to say Los Angeles improved thanks to the addition of Stafford, while Chicago made at best a horizontal move in signing Dalton.
The Bears have dropped eight of their last 11 games overall and 13 of their last 18 while visiting the Rams too. For Los Angeles, their league-leading defence a season ago put them on a serious under trend, going 11 for 15 to close out their year including having eight consecutive home games going under the total. For Sunday, that number is set at 46.
Chicago Bears
When the Bears signed Dalton to a one-year, $10-million contract, head coach Matt Nagy was adamant Dalton would start for Chicago. Many thought Nagy would go back on his word when Chicago traded up in the draft to get Ohio State pivot Justin Fields but it’s still Dalton getting the start in L.A.
Dalton’s entering his 11th NFL season and has over 33,000 career passing yards but clearly has his best days behind him. He finished his last season in Cincinnati going 2-11 before winning four of nine starts with Dallas in 2020.
Chicago’s offence will prominently feature running back David Montgomery and receiver Allen Robinson. Montgomery finished fifth in the NFL last season with 1,070 rushing yards and Robinson was ninth with 1,250 receiving yards.
Los Angeles Rams
As Jared Goff passed for 174 yards in Los Angeles’ NFL Divisional Round loss a year ago and the Stafford trade rumours heated up, a fit with the Rams seemed inevitable. Now McVay, one of the league’s best offensive minds having one of the league’s most underappreciated QBs in Stafford. Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are also big winners of the Stafford trade. Kupp had 92 grabs for 974 yards in 2020–21 and Woods 90 for 936 — both could hit 1,000 this season.
And while defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has moved on to a head coaching gig, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and defensive back Jalen Ramsey are back as mainstays on L.A.’s defence.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Bears vs. Rams?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 12 Aug 2:11pm | CHI | -7 -110 | O +45 -110 |
Closing 13 Sep 12:13am | CHI | -9.5 -113 | O +46.5 -108 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bears Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
849 |
Passing |
1870 |
Receiving |
81 |
Sacks |
18.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
16 |
Rushing |
845 |
Passing |
4886 |
Receiving |
145 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
172 |
Passing |
1188 |
Receiving |
33 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
1 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rams Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
849 |
Passing |
1870 |
Receiving |
81 |
Sacks |
18.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
16 |
Rushing |
845 |
Passing |
4886 |
Receiving |
145 |
Sacks |
12.5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
172 |
Passing |
1188 |
Receiving |
33 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Weather

temp | 71 |
condition | sunny |
wind | Southwest 10mph |
Injuries
Eddie Goldman (DL)
Akiem Hicks (DL)
Jesper Horsted (TE)
J.P. Holtz (TE)
Eddie Goldman (DL)
Darnell Mooney (WR)
Cairo Santos (K)
Duke Shelley (DB)
Caleb Johnson (LB)
Christian Jones (LB)
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
Andrew Whitworth (OL)
Van Jefferson (WR)
Grant Haley (DB)
Cam Akers (RB)
Tyler Higbee (TE)
Greg Gaines (DL)
John Wolford (QB)
Van Jefferson (WR)
Joe Noteboom (OL)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eddie Goldman (DL) | Prob Sun | Finger - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Goldman is expected to face the Vikings on Sunday despite a finger injury. |
|||||
Akiem Hicks (DL) | Out Sun | Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Hicks is nursing an ankle issue, and he will not take the field against the Vikings on Sunday. |
|||||
Jesper Horsted (TE) | I-R | Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Horsted has been moved to the injured reserve list with an injury to an unlisted location. |
|||||
J.P. Holtz (TE) | Ques Sun | Personal - 02 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Holtz sat out the last contest tending to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will be available for Sunday's tilt against the Vikings. |
|||||
Eddie Goldman (DL) | Prob Sun | Finger - 30 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Goldman is expected to take the field against the Giants on Sunday despite a finger injury. |
|||||
Darnell Mooney (WR) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Mooney is projected to be active for Sunday's game against the Giants despite an ankle injury. |
|||||
Cairo Santos (K) | Prob Sun | Ribs - 30 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Santos is bothered by a rib injury, but he is expected to line up against the Giants on Sunday. |
|||||
Duke Shelley (DB) | Out Sun | Heel - 30 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Shelley was absent during the last game due to a heel injury, and he will not partake in Sunday's matchup with the Vikings. |
|||||
Caleb Johnson (LB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Johnson is expected to take part in Sunday's clash with the Giants despite a shoulder injury. |
|||||
Christian Jones (LB) | Prob Sun | Finger - 26 / 12 / 21 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
Jones was lifted from the previous game with a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will lace up against the Giants on Sunday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) | day-to-day | Knee - 13 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Beckham Jr. exited Sunday's game with a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return. |
|||||
Andrew Whitworth (OL) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Whitworth has a quad injury, but it is determined that he will partake in the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Van Jefferson (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 02 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Jefferson is hindered by a knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Grant Haley (DB) | Prob Sun | Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Haley has a quad injury, but it is unlikely to change his status for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Cam Akers (RB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Akers is hampered by a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Tyler Higbee (TE) | I-R | Knee - 30 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Higbee has been added to the injured reverse list due to an MCL sprain. |
|||||
Greg Gaines (DL) | Prob Sun | Toe - 27 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Gaines is bothered by a toe injury, but it is not likely to affect his status for the NFC championship game versus the 49ers. |
|||||
John Wolford (QB) | Prob Sun | Illness - 27 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Wolford is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will take on the 49ers in the NFC championship game. |
|||||
Van Jefferson (WR) | Prob Sun | Knee - 26 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Jefferson is managing a knee injury, but he is likely to play against the 49ers in the NFC championship game. |
|||||
Joe Noteboom (OL) | I-R | Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Noteboom has been added to the injured reserve list due to a pectoral strain. |
-
CHICAGO BEARS
10 -
LOS ANGELES RAMS
26
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 12 Aug 2:11pm CHI -7 -110 O +45 -110 Closing 13 Sep 12:13am CHI -9.5 -113 O +46.5 -108 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bears Team Leaders
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 849
Passing 1870
Receiving 81
Sacks 18.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 845
Passing 4886
Receiving 145
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 6
Rushing 172
Passing 1188
Receiving 33
Sacks 4
Interceptions 1
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Rams Team Leaders
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 849
Passing 1870
Receiving 81
Sacks 18.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 845
Passing 4886
Receiving 145
Sacks 12.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 6
Rushing 172
Passing 1188
Receiving 33
Sacks 4
Interceptions 1
-
Weather
temp 71 condition sunny wind Southwest 10mph -
Injuries
Eddie Goldman (DL)
Prob Sun Finger - 05 / 01 / 22Akiem Hicks (DL)
Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22Jesper Horsted (TE)
I-R Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22J.P. Holtz (TE)
Ques Sun Personal - 02 / 01 / 22Eddie Goldman (DL)
Prob Sun Finger - 30 / 12 / 21Darnell Mooney (WR)
Prob Sun Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21Cairo Santos (K)
Prob Sun Ribs - 30 / 12 / 21Duke Shelley (DB)
Out Sun Heel - 30 / 12 / 21Caleb Johnson (LB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21Christian Jones (LB)
Prob Sun Finger - 26 / 12 / 21Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)
day-to-day Knee - 13 / 02 / 22Andrew Whitworth (OL)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22Van Jefferson (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 02 / 22Grant Haley (DB)
Prob Sun Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22Cam Akers (RB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22Tyler Higbee (TE)
I-R Knee - 30 / 01 / 22Greg Gaines (DL)
Prob Sun Toe - 27 / 01 / 22John Wolford (QB)
Prob Sun Illness - 27 / 01 / 22Van Jefferson (WR)
Prob Sun Knee - 26 / 01 / 22Joe Noteboom (OL)
I-R Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Eddie Goldman (DL) Prob Sun Finger - 05 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Goldman is expected to face the Vikings on Sunday despite a finger injury.
Akiem Hicks (DL) Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Hicks is nursing an ankle issue, and he will not take the field against the Vikings on Sunday.
Jesper Horsted (TE) I-R Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Horsted has been moved to the injured reserve list with an injury to an unlisted location.
J.P. Holtz (TE) Ques Sun Personal - 02 / 01 / 22 2-0 1-1 + - Holtz sat out the last contest tending to a personal matter, and it is unknown if he will be available for Sunday's tilt against the Vikings.
Eddie Goldman (DL) Prob Sun Finger - 30 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Goldman is expected to take the field against the Giants on Sunday despite a finger injury.
Darnell Mooney (WR) Prob Sun Ankle - 30 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Mooney is projected to be active for Sunday's game against the Giants despite an ankle injury.
Cairo Santos (K) Prob Sun Ribs - 30 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Santos is bothered by a rib injury, but he is expected to line up against the Giants on Sunday.
Duke Shelley (DB) Out Sun Heel - 30 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Shelley was absent during the last game due to a heel injury, and he will not partake in Sunday's matchup with the Vikings.
Caleb Johnson (LB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Johnson is expected to take part in Sunday's clash with the Giants despite a shoulder injury.
Christian Jones (LB) Prob Sun Finger - 26 / 12 / 21 2-1 1-2 + - Jones was lifted from the previous game with a finger injury, but it is anticipated that he will lace up against the Giants on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Odell Beckham Jr. (WR) day-to-day Knee - 13 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Beckham Jr. exited Sunday's game with a left knee injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Andrew Whitworth (OL) Prob Sun Quadricep - 04 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Whitworth has a quad injury, but it is determined that he will partake in the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals.
Van Jefferson (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Jefferson is hindered by a knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up for the 2022 Super Bowl versus the Bengals.
Grant Haley (DB) Prob Sun Quadricep - 02 / 02 / 22 0-1 0-1 + - Haley has a quad injury, but it is unlikely to change his status for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals.
Cam Akers (RB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Akers is hampered by a shoulder injury, but it is likely that he will be available for Super Bowl 56 versus the Bengals.
Tyler Higbee (TE) I-R Knee - 30 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Higbee has been added to the injured reverse list due to an MCL sprain.
Greg Gaines (DL) Prob Sun Toe - 27 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Gaines is bothered by a toe injury, but it is not likely to affect his status for the NFC championship game versus the 49ers.
John Wolford (QB) Prob Sun Illness - 27 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Wolford is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will take on the 49ers in the NFC championship game.
Van Jefferson (WR) Prob Sun Knee - 26 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Jefferson is managing a knee injury, but he is likely to play against the 49ers in the NFC championship game.
Joe Noteboom (OL) I-R Pectoral - 25 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Noteboom has been added to the injured reserve list due to a pectoral strain.