Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 9, 2018 ) L.A. Rams 6, Chicago 15

The Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears entertained aspirations of defending their respective division titles at the beginning of the season, but inconsistent offensive play has kept both clubs from ascending in the standings. The Rams and Bears hope to get healthier at the other's expense on Sunday night when they meet at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Rams' once-high octane offense has gone missing since prior to last season's Super Bowl appearance, with quarterback Jared Goff taking large steps backward behind an offensive line that has been ravaged by injury. "We're in a place where we're still good. We've got some time to make up some ground," reasoned Goff, who tossed two interceptions and guided the team to three points in Sunday's 17-12 setback to Pittsburgh. Much-maligned Mitchell Trubisky silenced the criticism blowing freely in the Windy City with three touchdown passes on Sunday as the Bears snapped a four-game skid with a 20-13 victory over Detroit. "Making those touchdown throws gives you confidence," the former second overall pick said. "It's a signal to your teammates that you can do the job. That's what I expect out of myself."

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Rams -6.5. O/U: 40

ABOUT THE BEARS (4-5): Rookie David Montgomery appeared to have found his stride by rolling up 235 yards and three touchdowns over his last three games after totaling 231 and two in his previous six, but an ankle injury in practice is raising doubts about his availability. "We wanted to keep him out," Chicago coach Matt Nagy said. "And we'll just keep an eye on him for here (Thursday) with how things go." The Bears released Mike Davis last week, leaving the club with versatile Tarik Cohen and Ryan Nall as the lone active backs should Montgomery be unable to play. Chicago could be missing a key component on the other side of the ball, as linebacker Danny Trevathan (team-leading 70 tackles) is nursing an ailing elbow that ultimately could land him on injured reserve.

ABOUT THE RAMS (5-4): The curious case of Cooper Kupp reared its ugly head on Sunday, as the elusive wideout was held without a catch against the Steelers after erupting for seven receptions for a career-high 220 yards and a touchdown in Los Angeles' 24-10 win over Cincinnati on Oct. 27. Part of the issue for Kupp's fruitless performance was a battered offensive line that was unable to protect Goff, who was sacked four times and under duress throughout the contest. Todd Gurley averaged a robust 6.08 yards per carry versus Pittsburgh before being held without one throughout the fourth quarter. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has just 23 rushes for 100 yards in the fourth quarter this season, with 10 carries and 18 yards coming over his last seven games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Chicago's Allen Robinson has 53 receptions for 618 yards, with those totals eclipsing the sum of all other wide receivers on the team (Taylor Gabriel, 21-277; Anthony Miller, 17-218; Javon Wims, 6-70; and Cordarrelle Patterson, 8-39).

2. Los Angeles' Gerald Everett (wrist), who recorded a career-high eight receptions last week, and fellow TE Tyler Higbee (knee) are expected to play, McVay said Thursday.

3. The Bears have won six of their last seven meetings against the Rams, including a 15-6 victory in Chicago on Dec. 9, 2018.

PREDICTION: Rams 24, Bears 17