This week’s Monday Night Football matchup features two teams on a roll, as the 5-1 Chicago Bears travel west to face the 4-2 Los Angeles Rams.

Chicago continues to win close games

The Bears seem to be firm believers in doing just enough on offense to get the victory, as they have yet to win a game this season by more than seven points. When your defense is playing as well as Chicago's has been, you can get away with that.

The seventh ranked scoring defense in the league, Chicago has held four of their six opponents to 19 or fewer points this season and has allowed the seventh-fewest yards per play in the league.

Offensively, the Bears have scored 20 points or fewer in half of their games this season, but play has improved somewhat since Nike Foles took over at quarterback. His chemistry with WR Allen Robinson has been terrific, as he has the most targets in the league. Unfortunately, their rushing numbers continue to be dismal, as the Bears are the fourth-worst in the league at 90 yards per game. That is due in large part to an offensive line that has been unable to open holes or protect their quarterback much of the season.

Jared Goff hopes to reverse fortunes

If Jared Goff throws a touchdown on Monday night, it will be the first time in his career that he has done so against the Bears. In two games against them, he has thrown five interceptions and has a QBR of 33.9 while completing just half of his throws. Given the prowess of this Chicago secondary, it would not be hard to imagine him having another game where he puts a bagel in the touchdown column.

The Rams have high rankings on both sides of the ball, but many of those numbers are skewed by the fact that all four of their wins have come against the abysmal NFC East. They have lost their two games outside of that division, including last week’s 24-16 defeat to the 49ers in which Goff could not reach 200 yards passing, and the defense allowed nearly 400 yards of offense. Thankfully for the defense, Los Angeles’ pass rush should be able to cause problems for the Chicago line, which could help offset any mistakes from their quarterback.

Chicago vs. Los Angeles injury report

The Bears should have LB Khalil Mack for the game, after he missed practice Friday with a back issue. CB Buster Skrine is questionable with an ankle issue, and they might also be without S Deon Bush and DT Bilal Nichols.

As for the Rams, Robert Woods missed practice on Friday with a groin issue, but he should be ready to go for Monday night. There are no other major issues for the Rams on the injury front.

Bears vs. Rams betting trends

The Bears have covered the spread just six times in their last 18 games, but they have won straight-up in six of their last seven. They have also covered the spread in seven of their last 10 meetings with the Rams. The total has gone Under in four of their last five games.

The Rams have won five of their last seven games, but have failed to cover in three of their last four games. The total has gone Under in four of their last six games, and has gone Under in five of their last seven meetings with the Bears.

The last two times these teams faced off, they combined for 45 points. Not 45 in one game, or 45 each over the two games. That’s 45 total points over two games. Given the fact that neither one of these teams seems to be great offensively, and with both defenses are playing well at the moment, this game should be a low-scoring affair. Look for it stay close, allowing the Bears to cover the spread.

Score prediction: Los Angeles 20, Chicago 16

Picks: Bears +6, Under 45