The Chicago Bears wiped out the St. Louis Rams 37-13 on the back of two 80-plus yard touchdown plays at the Edward Jones Dome. Here is what you need to know:
- The Bears used two huge catch-and-run touchdowns in the first half to bury the St. Louis Rams. Zach Miller rumbled for an 87-yard touchdown in the first quarter, aided by some poor tackling -- the 31-year-old tight end still has some wheels. Running back Jeremy Langford added an 83-yard score on a perfectly timed screen pass. With the yards-after-catch plays, Jay Cutler became the first Bears quarterback in franchise history to throw two 80-plus yard touchdowns in a single game.
- This game was a Jeff Fisher offensive nightmare. Down by two scores early, the Rams were forced to put the ball in the hands of Nick Foles. Predictably, the quarterback struggled. His long release allowed Vic Fangio's corners to make breaks on the ball, when those passes were even on target. Foles was constantly off the mark high and wide when trying to put it in tight windows. Sometimes I wonder if Foles ever yells "500" when chucking up hanging deep balls into double coverage. He completed a sad 47 percent of his passes for 5.7 yards per attempt and a dreadful interception. Foles is just not a good quarterback.
- We should be looking at the future of the Bears' backfield. Langford again showed good vision and patience in the run game and broke some big gains in the pass attack, including outrunning the Rams' secondary on the touchdown scoot. Langford possesses the speed to get to the edge and the power between the tackles. The rookie earned 73 yards on 20 carries, 109 yards on seven receptions and two scores. Ka'Deem Carey added some oomph in spells. With the two young backs looking spry, Matt Forte's return to Chicago in the offseason likely would be at a discount.
- Credit the Bears' coaching with getting the most out of their talent. Chicago blew out a supposed playoff-caliber team on the road without its best defender (Pernell McPhee), top running back (Forte) and No. 2 receiver (Eddie Royal), while its No. 1 wideout had three catches for 23 yards. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase was in Rams' defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' head all game. Quick screens and three-step drops kept the Rams' pass rush at bay. To start the fourth quarter, the Bears converted a third-and-10 on a stretch run to Langford. The play was a microcosm of the day for both teams.
- Todd Gurley is the Rams' offense. The back leaped over a defender on a 31-yard screen pass on the team's first possession and compiled 51 yards on the drive -- resulting in their only touchdown. The Rams wisely used play action early as Bears defenders keyed on the run. St. Louis, however, went away from Gurley when it got down two scores, which is a huge mistake with a home-run threat. His longest run of the day went for nine yards.
- Wes Welker played on third downs in his first game with the Rams. His first two catches were short of the sticks, resulting in punts. He finished with three catches for 32 yards on five targets. He did not take any huge shots to the head, for those worried.
