After a close matchup in the NFC wildcard, the Los Angeles Rams will face off against the Chicago Bears in the divisional round for a shot to continue their playoff run.
LA will have to prepare for quarterback Caleb Williams, who had one of the best games in his career in his first playoff game in the NFL. The former USC Trojan threw for 361 rushing yards and threw 2 touchdown passes, while getting another 20 yards with his legs.
Williams has seen improvement with new offensive-minded head coach Ben Johnson. The second-year QB has thrown for 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, while rushing for 388 yards and getting 3 TDs with his feet.
Now, the Bears quarterback will have to prepare for one of the best defensive lines in the league in his first playoff run.
Rams DC On Caleb Williams
GettyRams defense will have to prepare for a mobile quarterback
The Los Angeles Rams were able to beat the Carolina Panthers in a close game, 34-31, to move on to the divisional round.
Now, after facing Bryce Young, LA will face off against the ever-elusive Caleb Williams, who can evade any defender.
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula was asked by a member of the media before the NFC showdown about containing Williams, who can be a threat on his feet.
“We obviously have great [pass] rushers and we want to let them go, but at the same time, you’ve got to be disciplined,” Shula said. “You got to rush four as one, you got to stay in your lane, all that type of stuff.”
“We know at some point he’s probably gonna get out and we got to be distant in the back to plaster and stand our man… It’s tough bringing the quarterback down, but that’s part of it. Every single week, part of the challenge in the NFL and [Caleb’s] one of the best at it.”
Rams’ two-time Pro Bowl EDGE rusher Jared Verse mentioned that the key to getting Williams out of the game when trying to tackle him is aiming for the QB’s arms.
“You have to aim for his arms, just try to mess up his throw a little bit,” Verse said. “It can’t just be, ‘you get them off the spot.’ [Caleb] is one of those quarterbacks. Especially running quarterbacks. Even if they’re off the spot, they’re still liable to make any type of play.”
The Rams-Bears showdown will be featured in a cold environment, with the weather set to be around 20 degrees. The weather will play a factor on both sides of the ball and could help the Rams contain Williams.
Chris Shula Getting Head Coaching Interviews
GettyRams could lose a coordinator in the offseason
Chris Shula has been one of the more popular names in the head coach market the last couple of weeks.
The defensive coordinator has interviewed for various vacant head coaching jobs around the league and continues to receive requests from teams.
With all the extra time out of his day looking for a promotion, it could derail his focus from the upcoming game from the Bears, but he mentioned that his attention was on Chicago.
Since the DC is still coaching with the Rams, Shula gets to decide when he wants to have the interviews held. He mentioned that he has meetings with other teams after practice and film review before going back home.
If the playoffs continue to go well for the Rams, Shula could leave the team after being with the franchise for 8 years.
Ram DC Gets Honest About Bears’ Caleb Williams