Arts & Entertainment
James ‘Big Cat’ Williams on the Bears’ Divisional Round Showdown Against the Rams
The Cinderella season continues as “Da Bears” gear up for a divisional round showdown against the Rams on Sunday.
Caleb Williams and company kept their Super Bowl hopes alive against the Green Bay Packers last Saturday, overcoming an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Many fans still wonder, though, if their team’s late-game heroics will be enough to overcome MVP favorite Matt Stafford and the high-powered Rams offense.
Former Chicago Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss how the Bears should adjust going into Sunday and give his prediction for the game.
On what stood out from Saturday’s game against the Packers:
“They had no lack of confidence. It was something that they had pulled off several times during the season. Six wins in the last final minutes of the game. For them to do it again, it was impressive to watch. At halftime, you wanted to sit there, and you wanted to be excited knowing that they had a chance in the second half, but you just weren’t sure. So to see them come back in the second half and do what they did in the fourth quarter to put that game on ice, it was a fun thing to watch.”
On the Bears’ first half:
“It’s fun in a sense, because you always expect them to be able to do something in the second half, in the fourth quarter. But for them to put themselves in that situation over and over again, it just makes it rough on the fans, rough on everybody. It’s a team that does a great job at halftime, saying this doesn’t work, this doesn’t work, let’s try this, this and this. And that’s what has worked for them this season.”
On what the Bears need to do to get past the Rams:
“They have to start faster. They have to get the running game going. They have to keep the Rams offense off the field. If they’re able to do that, I think they stand a good chance. This is not Green Bay. I think if you go down 21 points or if you’re down 18 points, it’s going to be a lot harder to come back versus the Rams than it was versus the Packers.”
On the Rams offense’s biggest threat:
“It’s those wide receivers. Puka, Adams — Stafford being able to get them the ball and run after the catch. It’s gonna be a test for the Bears. You saw how they got diced up a bit in the first half of the Green Bay game. They cannot let the Rams come out and do the same thing. The Bears cannot let the Rams go up and down the field in the first half. They’re going to have to get some stops and put some pressure on Stafford.”
On the Bears’ Super Bowl chances:
“They have a shot. If you can take care of your business against the Rams, then you’re talking about a Seattle or 49ers team. You don’t wanna go to Seattle, but if the 49ers are able to win and they have to come to Chicago, now you’re talking about three home playoff games. You stand a chance.”
On the outcome of Sunday’s game:
“I think it’ll be a close one. I think it has a possibility for the score to be up there. I think 24-27, Bears. I’m going with the Bears again, I have to.”
