The first time Bears coach Matt Nagy faced the Rams, in December 2018, he ran 3,292 pounds worth of players onto the field, had Mitch Trubisky fake a handoff to defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and throw a two-yard touchdown pass to tackle Bradley Sowell. The Bears called the play, which featured six offensive linemen and four defensive linemen, “Santa’s Sleigh.”
The last time Nagy faced the Rams, there was no flair. Or fun. Quarterback Andy Dalton tried only two passes all Sunday night that traveled 10-plus yards in the air. One fell incomplete. The other was intercepted. The Bears lost 34-14.