Are they good? Are they lucky? Maybe a little bit of both? Debating the merits of the Bears 5-1 record is all the rage, but we should know if it’s for real over the next several weeks, as they face some tough teams. That starts Monday night in Los Angeles against the Rams.

Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams has three key takes on the game against the Rams.

1. The Bears defense has gotten better every week. They must keep progressing. Defending the run once again is going to be the big challenge. The Rams are a ball control offense that wants to run the ball down your throat and then run play action from the same looks, making it essential that the second-level players determine pass or run so they can react accordingly.

2. Work together offensively and defensively. Take aways have been and are going to be an important part of what the defense does. The ability of the defense to take the ball away to give the offense a short field to work with so they do not have to drive the length of the field to score.

3. Coach Matt Nagy is going to need to help the offensive line out this week. They have struggled the last couple weeks and this week, on the biggest stage with Monday night football, they have the Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald to deal with. If you have not seen him play yet he’s 6’1” around 290 pounds and moves around like a rolling ball of butcher blades. He has lined up all across the defensive line, so the Bears offense is going to need to identify where he is at all times. Whoever he’s lined up against they are going to want to give them help, whether it be front or backside of runs and definitely in pass protection.

Prediction: Bears 19, Rams 17