Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears are looking strong heading into their Divisional Round showdown against the LA Rams. They started poorly against the Green Bay Packers on Wild Card Weekend, but made an impressive recovery in the fourth quarter to send Green Bay packing.
Why does Super Bowl champion head coach Jon Gruden think the Bears will beat the Rams?
Jon Gruden Believes Rams Will Lose To ‘Young Brett Favre’ Caleb Williams and the Bears
There’s a massive difference between the weather in LA and Chicago, and Gruden believes that will be the deciding factor in this Divisional Round matchup. The Bears are used to playing in cold conditions, whereas the Rams are accustomed to California’s warm weather.
“It’s gonna be hard to throw,” Gruden insisted on ‘Viva La Stool.’ “You’re coming from Los Angeles, you’re coming from that little dome you live in. You’re gonna get off the bus and the first thing you’re gonna say is, ‘Holy sh** [it’s cold].’ The wind is blowing off this lake, it’s called Lake Michigan — it’s 17 mph.”
It’s been a very long time since the Chicago Bears last won a playoff game; the city’s last playoff win was in the 2010 season under Lovie Smith. Jay Cutler was still the quarterback, as the Bears beat the Seattle Seahawks 35-24 in the Divisional Round. However, they folded in the NFC Championship game against eventual Super Bowl champions the Packers.
“This Chicago Bears fan base has been waiting for this,” Gruden continued. “This place is gonna go nuts. It’s gonna be the Bears — it’s destiny.”
Williams has made a name for himself as a comeback player, having come back from behind to win several games before. He did it again to beat Green Bay in the Wild Card Round, hanging 25 points on Matt LaFleur’s men en route to a 31-27 victory.
“Caleb Williams, seven times at the end of games, has pulled it out of nowhere,” Gruden noted. “This guy’s a young Brett Favre, I’m telling you. Last week, fourth-and-eight, he’s running to his left, he breaks a tackle and throws a bullet. It’s the greatest throw I’ve ever seen… Bear Down! The Bears are gonna win this game 20-17.”
The Bears will, nonetheless, have a mountain to climb in the Divisional Round. The Rams are hard-boiled from the schedule they’ve faced this season. Sean McVay’s men have proven their mettle, and it’ll be interesting to see if Ben Johnson gets the better of the seasoned McVay in their first encounter.
Nicolaas Ackermann
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