Rams-Bears takeaways: Highlights but not enough touchdowns in loss to Chicago

The Chicago Bears defeated the Rams 24-18 on Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago.

What we learned from the loss, which dropped the Rams' record to 1-3:

Matthew Stafford makes more history

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford moved to No. 10 on the NFL's career passing yardage list.

Stafford completed 20 of 29 passes for 224 yards, passing Eli Manning. Stafford rushed for 57,025 yards in his 16th season.

“It's a humbling thing to be mentioned with a great player like Eli, who obviously had an outstanding career,” Stafford said. “And I'm sure at the end of the season or something like that I'll spend more time thinking about things like that.

“I was a fan of this game long before I played it in the NFL, and to be mentioned along with some of these guys is a really cool and humbling thing for me.”

Stafford would have preferred to make history with another comeback win: He moved into fifth place with Drew Brees by scoring his 36th comeback win in the previous game against the San Francisco 49ers.

With less than a minute left Sunday and the Rams at their eight-yard line, Bears defensive back Jaquan Brisker intercepted his pass.

“Obviously I wish I had it back and could go through it a little bit more or something to even sail it out of bounds and keep us alive,” Stafford said.

Rookie receiver Jordan Whittington steps up

With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua still out due to injury, Jordan Whittington's role has expanded.

The sixth-round pick from Texas made his first start and caught a team-best six passes for 62 yards.

“Definitely more than in previous games,” he said of his increased playing time. “But these are games you want to win. That's what I do: play to win. And we didn’t make it.”

Tutu Atwell had four catches for 82 yards, tight end Colby Parkinson four for 33 yards.”

Braden Fiske gets the first sack

Braden Fiske grew up about an hour's drive from Soldier Field.

Family and friends in attendance were delighted to see the Rams' second-round draft pick record his first NFL sack.

“It was cool,” Fiske said of playing at Soldier Field for the first time as a pro. “The weather was good. I think that was probably my favorite part, finally playing under some clouds again, not just the sun.

“But I mean, it was hard. We really wanted to do that.”

Linebacker Michael Hoecht and safety Quentin Lake also sacked Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.

However, the Rams missed several opportunities when Williams was within their reach. Williams, the top pick in the draft, completed 17 of 23 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.

“We've talked a lot on that sideline, and we've talked a lot in some moments where it matters,” tackle Kobie Turner said, “and I think we've stood up and I think now we've just got to find a way as…”Team has to go and win.”

The Rams' back seven in defense is having problems

Williams was just the latest quarterback to take advantage of the Rams' inside linebackers and secondary linebackers.

Williams connected with receiver DJ Moore for a touchdown, and running back D'Andre Swift rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown and caught seven passes for 72 yards.

In the third quarter, on a first down at the Rams' 14-yard line, the Bears gathered four receivers on the right side, allowing Moore to play one-on-one with cornerback Tre'Davious White.

Williams' pass was incomplete, but two plays later Moore got behind linebacker Christian Rozeboom for a nine-yard touchdown catch.

Kicker Joshua Karty is not perfect

Rookie Joshua Karty entered the game having made all five of his field goal attempts, including the game-winning attempt to defeat the 49ers.

On Sunday, Karty made field goals from 46 and 37 yards before missing from 43 yards, although coach Sean McVay indicated that the snap forced Karty to shoot with the ball's laces.

Karty rebounded with field goals of 25 and 52 yards.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.