Story by
Bears’ Key To Playoff Success: Learn To Count To 13
- Story by
- Bears’ Key To Playoff Success: Learn To Count To 13
13 personnel — one running back, three tight ends, and one receiver — is not something that Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay had ever espoused to any degree whatsoever before the 2025 season. And the Rams didn't really kick that into gear until Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens , when receiver Puka Nacua was injured in the first half. Before that game, McVay had not called for 13 personnel once all season long, which aligns pretty well with previous seasons.
Since then, though, and with a more than healthy Nacua at his disposal, McVay has turned his Rams into the kings of 13 , and it's worked ridiculously well for them. In the 331 snaps they've run this season in 13, both the passing game and the rushing attack have benefited greatly.
Advertisement
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been utterly ridiculous with three tight ends (with the rotation of Tyler Higbee , Terrance Ferguson , Davis Allen , and Colby Parkinson ). Stafford has completed 89 of 131 attempts in 13 for 1,097 yards, 20 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 133.2. To put that frequency in perspective, Stafford's 133 dropbacks is far and away the NFL 's most in 13 — Jacoby Brissett of the Arizona Cardinals ranks second with 61 dropbacks.
Los Angeles ' run game, led by Kyren Williams and Blake Corum , has been just as dynamite with three tight ends out there. On 204 rushing attempts out of 13 personnel (the Indianapolis Colts rank second with 68), the Rams have 973 yards, 578 yards after contact, 12 touchdowns, 27 broken tackles, and 58 first downs.
So, how can the Bears counter the new Rams' offense, and all this heavy stuff? There's not a lot to go on. Chicago 's defense has faced just 16 passing attempts in 13 personnel, allowing 10 catches for 66 yards, one touchdown, one interception, three pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 66.1 — fourth-lowest in the league.
Advertisement
Against the run in 13, Chicago has faced 11 attempts, allowing 86 yards, 26 yards after contact, one touchdown, one broken tackle, and four first downs.
The closest thing to what the Bears' defense will likely face on Sunday is what the Pittsburgh Steelers did in Chicago's 31-28 Week 12 win. Pittsburgh was also a pretty heavy 13 personnel team this season, and the Bears came out on both sides of the equation. Cornerback Nahshon Wright intercepted a deep pass from Mason Rudolph to DK Metcalf , but Chicago also allowed a six-yard Metcalf rushing touchdown, and a three-yard touchdown pass from Rudolph to tight end Pat Freiermuth .
On Monday, Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds had just started to get into the Rams' offensive tape, but he already had a general idea what his defense is in for.
Advertisement
"Obviously a big-time offense," Edmunds said. " Matthew Stafford is playing big-time ball as he always does. A lot of respect for him. He's been playing at a high level for a long time. The weapons in the passing game, their running backs are really good, the O-line's good. They have a talented roster, so we've got to do a good job really looking at the film, seeing how they want to attack us and definitely make sure we execute at a high level."
One imagines that as the tape study goes along, the Bears will realize just how much the Rams like to turn it up to 13, and the schematic responses will begin.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
