Bears, Rams try to salvage season on Sunday night

Two teams left wondering how everything has gone wrong this season will clash Sunday night in Los Angeles, with both trying to revamp their offenses behind quarterbacks under some heavy scrutiny. The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams will meet in a night game for the second consecutive season but under far different circumstances this time around.

Last season at Chicago, the Rams were the NFL's hot team in early December with just one loss and an offense that churned out points in bunches before the Bears put on the defensive show of the NFL season in a 15-6 victory. Less than a year later, the Rams no longer are mass-producing points and the Bears aren't getting the same kind of play as a team, although it did all come together for Chicago last Sunday in a 20-13 victory over the Detroit Lions that ended a four-game losing streak.

Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw three touchdowns against the Lions and at least quieted the criticism of his rough season for one week. Trubisky enters Week 11 ranked 26th in the NFL with 1,390 yards passing and 21st with a 63.6 completion percentage. His eight touchdown passes are tied for 28th. "When you go through a stretch like we did, it's tough," said Trubisky, who reportedly had televisions turned off at the Bears' practice facility the week before the Lions game to quiet criticism of the team. "... You appreciate (victories) a little bit more, just getting back to that good feeling of winning. We've got to just build off that and definitely not take it for granted."

The Rams are the team now taking the heat after a sluggish offensive performance at Pittsburgh on Sunday led to a 17-12 defeat. The offense delivered just a field goal, with the defense scoring a touchdown and getting a safety. Cooper Kupp, the Rams' leading receiver this season, did not have a reception. That game looked similar to the Rams' 20-7 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 13.

What the 49ers and Steelers defeats had in common was a relentless pass rush from the opposing defense that forced quick decisions from quarterback Jared Goff. The results? Goff had just 78 yards passing against the 49ers with two interceptions and had a fumble that was returned for a touchdown against Pittsburgh. Those games looked awfully familiar to what the Bears did against Rams last year when Goff threw for 180 yards and four interceptions.

Personnel changes and injuries on the line have put the Rams' chances of an offensive revival in jeopardy. Center Brian Allen joined tackle Joe Noteboom with season-ending knee injuries. Tackle Rob Havenstein (knee) will not play against the Bears. There are issues at tight end as well with Tyler Higbee (knee) not practicing Wednesday and Gerald Everett (wrist) limited.

"When you don't have guys with game experience ... there's a lot of things you have to go over and teach and almost kind of thinking back of all the things that come up when a guy gets in for the first time and goes through certain situations," tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "You almost can't possibly go through all of them. There's going to be some growing pains there." Bears injuries included linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow), linebacker Isaiah Irving (quadriceps) and tight end Trey Burton (calf) not practicing Wednesday. Running back David Montgomery (ankle) was limited.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)