Jared Verse and Rams on the secret to stopping

Don’t look for Jared Verse to seem bare-chested on Sunday evening at Soldier Field in Chicago.

In 2024, before a late-December recreation against the New York Jets in New Jersey, Verse and other Rams outdoors linebackers apparently tried to make a level about their toughness by going through warmups in a 20-degree temperature sans shirts.

Verse said Thursday that former Rams linebacker Michael Hoecht instigated the demonstration.

Another shouldn’t be anticipated on Sunday when the Rams play the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional-round recreation in temperatures that may have a wind chill below zero levels.

“Hoecht’s not here right now,” Verse said, laughing heartily, “so I don’t feel like taking mine off. It might be in short sleeves like always. But shirtless…”

Verse, the 2024 NFL defensive rookie of the 12 months, made the Pro Bowl for the second time after recording 7½ sacks, a quantity that doesn’t totally characterize his influence on opposing offenses.

Under first-year coach Ben Johnson, the Bears averaged 25.9 factors and 369.2 yards per recreation, which ranked ninth and sixth respectively, among 32 NFL groups. The Bears had been third in speeding (144.5 yards per recreation) and tenth in passing (225.1).

Quarterback Caleb Williams handed for 27 touchdowns, with seven interceptions. He was sacked only 24 instances, third-fewest in the league behind the Rams and the Denver Broncos, each of which allowed 23 sacks.

“He looks comfortable,” Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula said of Williams, who also rushed for almost 400 yards and three touchdowns, “He looks calm.”

Tight end Colston Loveland is Williams’ favourite goal. Loveland had a team-best 58 receptions during the common season, and Loveland and receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze each had six landing catches.

In the Bears’ 31-27 wild-card victory over the Green Bay Packers, which was performed in wind-chill of 26 levels, Williams accomplished 24 of 48 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions. Loveland was focused 15 instances, and had eight catches for 137 yards.

Rams coach Sean McVay said Williams has performed nicely in and out of rhythm.

“Those second-reaction plays, where he’s getting flushed to his right or getting flushed to his left and guys understand how to be able to work with him,” McVay said, “those are the ones that are really scary.”

Jumping or lunging at Williams is futile, Verse said, because “he’s very able to get away from anything you bring to him.” So it’s crucial to wrap up the No. 1 choose in the 2024 NFL draft.

“It’s impossible to say like he won’t get away from one of us,” Verse said, “but we all have to keep pursuing him and be able to make that tackle on him.”

The climate and circumstances may trigger both groups to rely on their speeding assaults.

Bears operating back D’Andre Swift rushed for 9 touchdowns and caught a landing go during the common season. In the wild-card recreation, Swift carried the ball 19 instances for 55 yards.

Last season, the Rams’ season ended in the divisional spherical on a cold, snowy day in Philadelphia.

Verse said he wouldn’t be affected by the cold circumstances in Chicago, citing his youth in Ohio and time spent in New York.

“I’m used to playing in the hail,” he said. “That really doesn’t faze me or anything like that.”

Etc.

Backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t follow because of a back issue, according to the injury report … Guard Kevin Dotson, sidelined for three video games because of an ankle injury, was restricted in his first follow since he was injured on Dec. 18 against the Seattle Seahawks. Dotson said this week that he supposed to totally take a look at the ankle, with hopes of enjoying on Sunday. … Shula, a candidate for a number of NFL head coach vacancies, said he would take part in interviews Friday after the Rams have accomplished putting in their recreation plan for the Bears. “Full focus on the Bears, “ Shula said, “and then after practice [Friday] worry about that.”