Ex-NFL quarterback just jinxed Rams chances with this out-of-touch prediction

What was is not what will be. NFL fans who are thrilled by a free agency signing often discover this immutable truth. And as the Los Angeles Rams make final preparations to face the Chicago Bears on a cold and windy Sunday afternoon, the last thing the team needs is someone losing touch with reality.

Of course, that hadn't stopped former NFL quarterback Alex Smith from declaring LA's offense scoring 50+ points against the Bears defense.

I get it. He witnessed the Bears defense allowing 42 points in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The same defense that surrendered 42 points to the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the season. But the worst showing of the season was a 52-point scoring spree allowed to the Detroit Lions. It was those meltdowns that dropped Chicago's defense to 23rd place among 32 NFL teams.

What was is not will be. The NFL playoffs will take care of that. OF the teams advancing to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, the Rams defense is the worst in terms of points allowed. Therein lies the rub.

LA Rams offense doesn't need the challenge of lofty expectations

Fans certainly appreciate the pre-game enthusiasm from the former NFL quarterback. But with Los Angeles facing bitterly cold temperatures and an officiating crew unlikely to call the game down the middle, Smith is writing a check that the offense may not be able to cash.

The offense has had multiple touchdowns wiped off the scoreboard thanks to ticky-tack penalties. There is no reason to expect that to change.

LA's offense may have ended the season as the top scorer, but that was during mild temperatures and regular-season tempo. In the NFL playoffs, the game speeds up. And as temperatures plummet, rushing offenses gain a distinct advantage.

Still, this may be the best season of 17-year veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford's career. Despite the cold and wind, he has a knack for throwing a catchable football. With so many external factors looming large in this one, Stafford is the great equalizer.

Still, the offense has not scored 50+ points all season long, and they won't bother to pile on the Bears in this win-or-go-home contest. The game is almost certainly going to be a closely contested game. Should the Horns start to pull away, head coach Sean McVay will not hesitate to send in backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to mop up the final quarter.

The Bears defense can play well enough to hold opponents to 14 points. The last thing the LA Rams want is to give them bulletin board quotes to motivate a playoff team. And yet, that is exactly what Alex Smith just did.

Hopefully, he didn't jinx LA's chances. As always, thanks for reading.