Communication is the new collaboration around Halas Hall. There’s validity to the need to correct things via strong communication, but how much communication does it take for D’Andre Swift to find a rushing lane?

Caleb Williams is getting a good grasp on running to the Bears’ offense, and this week said it’s about being “comfy” with the plays. It’s a good reminder that Williams is a rookie playing in a brand-new offense with a new offensive staff — oh, and it’s just Week 4.

The defense had lapses against the run in Indianapolis, but it won’t have to worry about Anthony Richardson or Jonathan Taylor anymore. The Bears won’t have to worry about Los Angeles Rams receivers Puka Nacua (IR-knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) either. It’s a blessing for a defense that could be asked to carry the load again against one of the best offensive-minded head coaches in football.

Chicago’s offense will probably have Keenan Allen for the first time since Week 1, too. Allen said he’s been dealing with a bone bruise in his heel that progressed into symptoms of plantar fasciitis, but Matt Eberflus expects to see Allen on Sunday despite being listed as questionable.

With the offense figuring things out, and desperate for the running game to get off the ground, the Bears have a legitimate shot to get back to .500 at Soldier Field.

Onto Week 4… I’m going to need a beer at Wabash & Cermak beforehand.

Adam Hoge (1-2) | Bears 24, Rams 20

Believe it or not, the tape shows signs of the offense breaking out and this might just be the right defense to do it against. This is not a confident pick though.

🔎 GO DEEPER | Check out Adam Hoge’s latest ‘Bears Things’ newsletter on why Chris Morgan and the offensive line expect “to have a good week”.

Nicholas Moreano (2-1) | Bears 20, Rams 17

On paper, the Bears offense should find some success through the air and on the ground against a Rams defense that hasn’t been able to stop much of anything this season. However, Chicago proved last week that even though a team may have a weakness, like the Colts and their inability to stop the run, the Bears weren’t able to capitalize on it. Knowing that, I’m still taking the Bears. Caleb Williams has his most efficient day passing the ball and creates some explosive plays downfield while the defense shuts down running back Kyren Williams and prevents Matthew Stafford from taking over the game.

📖 READ | Nicholas Moreano’s latest column on how the Bears’ offense can finally get going against a porous Rams defense.

Greg Braggs Jr. (2-1) | Bears 20, Rams 17

I have zero evidence this will happen. This is what I call a hope and a prayer pick. Must win.

Mark Carman (3-0) | Bears 22, Rams 20

The meeting with Shane Waldron happened. The Rams playing an early game across the country after a win are ready for a letdown. Keenan Allen is back. The Bears run game can’t get any worse. The Rams can’t stop the run or get to the quarterback. Bears somehow do enough to squeak by.

Patrick Norton (1-2) | Rams 25, Bears 19

Am I really the only one picking against the Bears in Week 4? It’s like the reverse Mike Ditka screengrab from Monday Night Countdown back in the day against Green Bay. Here’s hoping I’m wrong and the Bears get back to .500.

But if they’re 1-3 by 3:30 on Sunday afternoon, here’s why: Matt Eberflus vs. Sean McVay … and Shane Waldron, too. Maybe this is a coming out party for Waldron’s offense, but we thought that would be the case last week and it was an unbalanced, unorganized mess instead. For Eberflus, two weeks ago, it was challenges. Last week, it was timeouts. He can’t afford critical game management errors against a Super Bowl champion head coach like McVay.

🗞️ SUBSCRIBE | Patrick Norton’s CHGO Digest is FREE. Subscribe to receive his perspective on the Bears’ season every Monday and Thursday morning.

Kevin Kaduk (2-1) | Bears 24, Rams 20

I haven’t been down as most Bears fans this week, so I can’t come out and pick a Rams victory. In front of a home crowd, Caleb and Co. take another step while the Rams can’t keep up the energy that fueled last week’s big comeback win.  The one wild card that worries me: Can an old and wise Matthew Stafford find some of the magic he has in the past at Soldier Field?