Game story
In Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-09-12, the Los Angeles Rams took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 34–14 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Dalton (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with -9.80 total EPA, and -5.0% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +17.21 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-15.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (12:00) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left intended for 11-D.Mooney INTERCEPTED by 22-D.Long (41-K.Young) at LA -8. Touchback.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 10 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 34 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 M. Stafford · Los Angeles Rams · Passing · +17.21 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 2 C. Kupp · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.83 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 3 M. Goodwin · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.67 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
- 4 V. Jefferson · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +5.04 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.68 EPA/play
- 5 D. Montgomery · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +4.56 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
- 6 T. Higbee · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
- 7 R. Woods · Los Angeles Rams · Receiving · +2.92 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 8 C. Kmet · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.41 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
M. Stafford — LA · Passing
M. Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+17.21) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Los Angeles Rams's efficiency. Across 28 counted snaps, they averaged +0.61 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.83 EPA) came from Chicago Bears: (12:00) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left intended for 11-D.Mooney INTERCEPTED by 22-D.Long (41-K.Young) at LA -8. Touchback.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Los Angeles Rams — V. Jefferson (M. Stafford pass)
- Chicago Bears — D. Montgomery
- Los Angeles Rams — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass)
- Chicago Bears — J. Fields
- Los Angeles Rams — D. Henderson
- Los Angeles Rams — R. Woods (M. Stafford pass)
Field goals
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Gay
- Los Angeles Rams — M. Gay
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 10–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the CHI 67 (Q1 55:48) — (10:48) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 12-V.Jefferson for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q1 55:36) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the CHI 35 (Q1 49:44) — (4:44) 8-M.Gay 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 7–3. Los Angeles Rams connected on a field goal from the CHI 4 (Q2 41:42) — (11:42) 8-M.Gay 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the LA 3 (Q2 30:38) — (:38) (Shotgun) 32-D.Montgomery up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q2 30:34) — 2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell..
The third quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 14–7. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the CHI 56 (Q3 29:01); Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q3 28:52) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the LA 3 (Q3 19:20) — (4:20) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the LA 15 (Q3 19:14) — 2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell.; Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the CHI 1 (Q3 16:24) — (1:24) 27-D.Henderson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q3 16:19) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Rams won the period 7–0. Los Angeles Rams found the end zone from the CHI 2 (Q4 3:22) — (3:22) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 2-R.Woods for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CHI-44-A.Ogletree, Defensive Holding, declined.; Los Angeles Rams added 1 points from the CHI 15 (Q4 3:17) — 8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Chicago Bears (Q1 57:00) — (12:00) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left intended for 11-D.Mooney INTERCEPTED by 22-D.Long (41-K.Young) at LA -8. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 55:48) — (10:48) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 12-V.Jefferson for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Chicago Bears (Q1 59:25) — (14:25) (No Huddle) 32-D.Montgomery up the middle pushed ob at LA 12 for 41 yards (41-K.Young).
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 29:01) — (14:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 10-C.Kupp for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CHI-96-A.Hicks, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 29:30) — (14:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 2-R.Woods to LA 44 for 19 yards (22-K.Vildor).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Chicago Bears (Q1 57:00) — (12:00) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left intended for 11-D.Mooney INTERCEPTED by 22-D.Long (41-K.Young) at LA -8. Touchback.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q1 55:48) — (10:48) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 12-V.Jefferson for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Rams (Q3 29:01) — (14:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 10-C.Kupp for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CHI-96-A.Hicks, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
- Chicago Bears (Q4 10:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass incomplete short right to 11-D.Mooney (31-R.Rochell).
Quarterback report card
A.Dalton led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Dalton (Chicago Bears) · 43 dropbacks · 62.8% completion · -5.0% CPOE · -0.23 EPA/play · -9.80 total EPA
- M.Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) · 28 dropbacks · 71.4% completion · +8.3% CPOE · +0.61 EPA/play · +17.21 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Chicago Bears | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.107 | +0.222 |
| Offensive success rate | 49.4% | 45.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.209 | +0.615 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.116 | +0.021 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.222 | +0.107 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.7% | 50.6% |
By the numbers
Los Angeles Rams held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Chicago Bears: 8 drives, -8.64 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Los Angeles Rams: 9 drives, +14.21 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Los Angeles Rams leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- A. Dalton (CHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- M. Stafford (LA) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q1 55:48 · CHI 67 · Score 0-6
(10:48) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 12-V.Jefferson for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q1 55:36 · CHI 15 · Score 0-7
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q1 49:44 · CHI 35 · Score 0-10
(4:44) 8-M.Gay 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams FG (+3) — Q2 41:42 · CHI 4 · Score 0-13
(11:42) 8-M.Gay 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 30:38 · LA 3 · Score 6-13
(:38) (Shotgun) 32-D.Montgomery up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 30:34 · LA 15 · Score 7-13
2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 29:01 · CHI 56 · Score 7-19
(14:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 10-C.Kupp for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CHI-96-A.Hicks, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enfor - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 28:52 · CHI 15 · Score 7-20
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 19:20 · LA 3 · Score 13-20
(4:20) (Shotgun) 1-J.Fields right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 19:14 · LA 15 · Score 14-20
2-C.Santos extra point is GOOD, Center-48-P.Scales, Holder-16-P.O'Donnell. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q3 16:24 · CHI 1 · Score 14-26
(1:24) 27-D.Henderson up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q3 16:19 · CHI 15 · Score 14-27
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker. - Los Angeles Rams TD (+6) — Q4 3:22 · CHI 2 · Score 14-33
(3:22) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 2-R.Woods for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on CHI-44-A.Ogletree, Defensive Holding, declined. - Los Angeles Rams XP (+1) — Q4 3:17 · CHI 15 · Score 14-34
8-M.Gay extra point is GOOD, Center-42-M.Orzech, Holder-6-J.Hekker.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams?
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Chicago Bears 34-14 in Week 1, 2021 on 2021-09-12.
What was the final score of Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams?
The final score was Chicago Bears 14, Los Angeles Rams 34 (CHI 14-34 LA) in Week 1, 2021 on 2021-09-12.
What was the score by quarter in Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams?
Q1: Chicago Bears 0, Los Angeles Rams 10; Q2: Chicago Bears 7, Los Angeles Rams 3; Q3: Chicago Bears 7, Los Angeles Rams 14; Q4: Chicago Bears 0, Los Angeles Rams 7; Final: Chicago Bears 14, Los Angeles Rams 34.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams?
Los Angeles Rams touchdown — V. Jefferson (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 55:48) Chicago Bears touchdown — D. Montgomery (Q2 30:38) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — C. Kupp (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 29:01) Chicago Bears touchdown — J. Fields (Q3 19:20) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — D. Henderson (Q3 16:24) Los Angeles Rams touchdown — R. Woods (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 3:22) Los Angeles Rams field goal — M. Gay (Q1 49:44, 3 pts) Los Angeles Rams field goal — M. Gay (Q2 41:42, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams?
A. Dalton (Chicago Bears), 62.8% completion, -5.0% CPOE, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -9.80 total passing EPA. M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams), 71.4% completion, +8.3% CPOE, +0.61 EPA per dropback, +17.21 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams?
M. Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) led the game in total EPA with +17.21 on passing plays. across 28 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.83 EPA): (12:00) (Shotgun) 14-A.Dalton pass deep left intended for 11-D.Mooney INTERCEPTED by 22-D.Long (41-K.Young) at LA -8. Touchback.. The biggest win-probability swing was -15.3%.
Season records after this game
Chicago Bears
Now 0-1 L
Los Angeles Rams
Now 1-0 W
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