How blustery conditions at Soldier Field could prove to be a Rams advantage

The LA Rams are traveling to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 4. This is the first outdoor stadium that the Rams will play at, and with it comes all of the benefits and challenges of facing an opposing football team combined with all of the forces at Mother Nature's disposal. In the colder winter months, it can be bone-chilling cold with a gale off the lake that rips through coats and skin to freeze a person's soul.

But this is not winter.

Life in the Great Lakes region of the United States has its benefits. It has all the summer recreational fun of the ocean, but it's freshwater and not nearly as dangerous. As such, life on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, affording picturesque views and panoramic scenery.

In Week 4, the LA Rams visit the city of Chicago, Illinois before the harsh cold of winter settles in. But do not let the absence of snow lull you into believing that this game will be without weather concerns.

At kickoff, the temperature is forecasted to rise to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. There is even a slight chance of light rain. The wind is the real headliner for this game. With a steady headwind out of the NorthEast at 17 miles per hour, it can gust up to 25 miles per hour throughout the game.

And on the football field itself, windy conditions can be rather unpredictable.

The LA Rams are notorious for passing. But with windy conditions, doesn't that seem to favor the Bears? Not so fast, my friend. While the Rams have a difficult task of facing a stingy Bears defense, the Rams have been rather effective at running the football efficiently. While I won't say that the team will rush for 200 yards in Week 4, I will assert that the Rams are likely to put up one or two rushing touchdowns in this game.

While winds limit long passes, don't discount the fact that Rams receivers specialize in yards after the catch. That means less air time (and less vulnerability to gusty winds) and more yards after the catch is made.

Finally, you have the gunslinger veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, whose career included 12 seasons playing for the Detroit Lions, with a trip to face the Chicago Bears annually. So if any quarterback in the NFL understands the ins and outs at Soldier Field, Stafford is the guy.

Time & Channel for Rams vs. Bears

• Date: Sunday, September 29
• Time: 10:00 am PT
• Location: Soldier Field, Chicago IL
• Channel: Fox Sports

A windy game does not necessarily favor the Chicago Bears. The Rams secondary has not found its rhythm just yet in 2024. If the wind wants to blow some footballs into the hands of the Rams defensive backs, you won't find me complaining.

As always, thanks for reading.