3 bold predictions, including Blake Corum’s first touchdown

Ahkello Witherspoon will be LA’s deux ex machina

The Los Angeles Rams will taken on the Chicago Bears in Week 4 after barely inching out a win against the San Francisco 49ers. Sean McVay has an opportunity to get his team to .500 despite not having some of his best players available on offense but he will have to do it against one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Here are my bold predictions going into Sunday’s match.

Blake Corum get his first touchdown

After receiving raving reviews during the offseason and guest appearances on the Rich Eisen show, the Blake Corum hype was real going into Week 1 of the NFL season. Three weeks later and the only time the third-round draft has seen the field was during garbage time against the Arizona Cardinals in a blowout loss. Corum’s usage has been disappointing thus far but a lot of it has to do with the offensive line’s injuries woes. Up until last week’s win against the San Francisco 49ers the Rams had not seen any success with the run game and had to rely on Kyren WIlliams in pass protection to keep Matthew Stafford healthy—Corum may not have the staff’s trust just yet.

That could change against the Bears. Alaric Jackson’s return from his two-game suspension was everything LA needed to sure up their offensive line and give Williams some holes to run through. Sean McVay will once again lean heavily on his star back against a stout Chicago defense and an offense missing Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Williams isn’t superman though and will need his rest. Luckily for the Rams, Corum’s minimal usage has kept him fresh.

It could be a long day for the Rams’ offense against one of the best defenses in the league—they will need all hands on deck. Corum has gotten little opportunity to see the field after three weeks, but I believe he will get his chance to show the NFL his potential by getting his first touchdown of his career.

Ahkello Witherspoon gets LA’s second interception of the season

This could be an impossible prediction if Ahkello Witherspoon is not activated to the starting roster ahead of Sunday’s match, but there is a feeling in the air that is exactly what will happen. As hinted at above, White has looked rough in Chris Shula’s scheme thus far and even though Cobie Durant has played well he nearly gave the win away last week with his soft coverage on Ronnie Bell. Witherspoon has been on LA’s practice squad for almost two weeks now and the defense needs him desperately.

Witherspoon was the Rams best corner last year despite playing through some injury at the end of the season. In 2023 the former Pittsburgh Steeler allowed just a 76.7 passer rating when targeted and finished as LA’s number one ballhawk with three interceptions. White has allowed a 147.2 passer rating when targeted this season.

If he is activated against the Bears he will be playing against an inexperienced quarterback in Caleb Williams who already has thrown four interceptions (tied for third in the NFL) in three games while having the third most passing attempts in the league. Jared Verse and the rest of the defensive line will have an opportunity to bully a struggling offensive line that has not been able to get the run game going—if that trend continues there will be plenty of chances for Witherspoon to come off the couch and into the game to get his first interception of 2024.

Rome Odunze earns his second 100+ receiving game of the season

It is no secret that the Rams secondary has struggled this season and it won’t get any easier against the Bears. In just three weeks LA has given up three career games:

• Week 1: Jameson Williams- 5 receptions, 121 yards, 24.2 yards average reception, touchdown
• Week 2: Marvin Harrison Jr- 4 receptions, 130 yards, 32.5 yards average reception, 2 touchdowns
• Week 3: Jauan Jennings- 11 receptions, 175 yards, 15.9 yards average reception, 3 touchdowns

Caleb Williams has had his struggles but got things going with Rome Odunze last week against the Indianapolis Colts. The rookie receiver ended the game with six receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.

If Ahkello Witherspoon is not activated off of the practice squad coverage responsibility should fall on Tre’Davious White who is currently allowing a 147.2 passer rating when targeted. Chicago’s gameplan could be centered on exploiting that mismatch, especially if they can’t get their run game going early. Expect Odunze to get plenty of targets on Sunday. I am predicting that he will get his second 100+ receiving game of his career while also topping his 112 yards against the Colts.