After coming over from the Lions via trade in the offseason, Stafford went 20 for 26 for 321 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams made easy work of the Bears on Sunday night inside a SoFi Stadium that had fans in it for the first time a year after opening.
Los Angeles downed Chicago 34-14 thanks to Stafford’s ability to make big plays in the air. He notched touchdown passes of 67 yards (to Van Jefferson) and 56 yards (to Cooper Kupp).
The Bears established the run early and leaned on running back David Montgomery for much of the game. He totaled 108 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
But it was another rushing touchdown — by rookie quarterback Justin Fields — that brought hope and excitement to Bears fans. Fields came off the bench on occasion in place of starter Andy Dalton and made three plays: two pass completions for 10 yards and the TD on the ground.
RIVERA: Rookie QB grades
Chicago outnumbered Los Angeles in first downs (24-18) and time of possession (35:14-24:46), but the Rams’ 312 yards in the air and 7.7 yards per play reflected how dynamic the offense can be.
The win was Stafford’s first Week 1 victory since 2017. He is now 7-5-1 in Week 1 games.
MORE: Fields scores first career touchdown
Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Bears vs. Rams on “Sunday Night Football.” Below are complete results from the Week 1 NFL game.
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Bears vs. Rams score
Bears vs. Rams live updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’
(All times Eastern)
Final: Rams 34, Bears 14
11:08 p.m.: The Rams take a knee and enter into victory formation, sealing a Week 1 victory behind a three-touchdown night from Matthew Stafford and a big night from Cooper Kupp.
11:06 p.m.: The two-minute warning comes and the Rams are well on their way to an easy opening night victory and an impressive debut from Matt Stafford.
11:04 p.m.: The Bears go for it on fourth-and-10 but Dalton gets sacked for a loss of 9 yards. The Rams take over on the Bears’ 27 with 2:16 left in the game.
11:02 p.m.: With 2:25 left, the Bears face third-and-9 on their 37-yard line and the Bears need a first down to keep this game alive.
10:56 p.m: TOUCHDOWN, RAMS. Matthew Stafford has his third touchdown of the game, a 2-yard pass for Robert Woods to essentially seal this game for Los Angeles. Rams 34, Bears 14. That score capped off a 12 play, 70-yard drive that took 6:44. Just over three minutes remain in the inaugural ‘Sunday Night Football’ game of 2021.
10:51 p.m.: The Rams have found the run game as Henderson continues his strong quarter, taking it 15 yards all the way to Chicago’s 5-yard line.
10:49 p.m.: Another holding penalty for the Rams, setting up first-and-20 on Chicago’s 31.
10:48 p.m.: The Stafford-Kupp connection is white hot as the latter picks up 15 yards for the first down on third down and puts the Rams on the Bears’ 21-yard line.
10:47 p.m.: Stafford tried for his third long touchdown of the day, but the Rams get called for holding. Brings up third-and-13 for the Rams on the Bears’ 36.
10:45 p.m.: Alec Ogletree gets hit for a taunting penalty and advances the Rams to the Bears’ 37 where Darrell Henderson picks up 9 yards for second-and-1.
10:43 p.m.: The Rams have run it their last two plays and Darrell Henderson has gained 13 yards on the last two plays. They had just 18 yards on the previous 10 carries.
10:39 p.m.: On third-and-25, the Bears gain 10 yards and go for it on the LA 30-yard line with 10:54 left but come up short. Their third missed chance to convert on fourth down so far tonight.
10:38 p.m.: Aaron Donald is in to help on a major sack and tackle for loss. Drops Dalton for 15 yards and brings up second-and-25 on the LA 40-yard line.
10:36 p.m.: Dalton gives the Bears their 21st first down of the night on a 4-yard scramble and the Bears are at the Rams’ 37.
10:34 p.m.: Montgomery eclipses the 100-yard mark, tallying 108. the first 100-yard rusher the Rams have allowed in over a year. First-and-10 on the 50.
End third quarter: Rams 27, Bears 14
10:31 p.m.: David Montgomery takes the Bears to the end of the quarter on a nice second down run for eight yards. The Bears will start the fourth quarter looking at a third-and-2 from their 45 as they try to mount another late score.
10:30 p.m.: The Bears get help from a penalty and have first-and-10 on their own 37.
10:26 p.m.: That touchdown by the Rams was a short one, as has been the case with most of their runs. LA has run it just 10 times for only 18 yards, but that last one was a big one.
10:25 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN RAMS. The Rams score on a 3-yard run from Darrell Henderson as the end to an eight-play, 75 yard drive that took 2:55 off the clock. Rams 27, Bears 14.
10:23 p.m.: Cooper Kupp comes up just short of his second touchdown of the game. Sets up the Rams with first-and-goal on the Bears’ 1-yard line.
10:20 p.m.: Stafford hits Higbee on back-to-back plays and he has two catches for 43 yards in the last few seconds. First down Rams on the Bears’ 27-yard line.
10:15 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN BEARS. Justin Fields notches his first career touchdown, a 3-yard run to cap off a 16-play, 81 yard drive that shaved 9:38 off the clock and leaves 4:14 left in the third. Rams 20, Bears 14.
10:14 p.m.: The Bears convert on third down and brings up first-and-goal from the Rams’ 3-yard line.
10:12 p.m.: Damien Williams on the handoff but it’s third-and-8 from the Rams’ 14.
10:09 p.m.: Justin Fields enter back into the game for the Bears inside the redzone and he utilizes the shovel pass and gains maybe a yard as Dalton retakes the field. Second-and-9 on the Rams’ 15 yard line with 6:34 left in the quarter.
10:08 p.m.: Marquise Goodwin continues to be a favorite target of Dalton, hauling in his fourth catch of the night, this one for a first down to the Rams’ 23-yard line.
10:04 p.m.: A second consecutive third down conversion as they cross midfield on a pass completed to tight end Cody Kmet for 3 yards to the LA 40 yard-line.
10:02 p.m.: Dalton and the Bears are marching down the field and are on their own 49 facing first-and-10, but Dalton just throws it away.
9:59 p.m.: The Bears convert on third-and-3 from their own 26 and Robinson grabs it for seven yards as the Bears look to respond the Rams’ early quarter score.
9:55 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN RAMS. Stafford heaves it down field again for the score and finds a wide open Cooper Kupp for 56 yards. A four-play, 75 yard drive that takes just 1:08 and its a two-score game again. Rams 20, Bears 7.
9:53 p.m.: For the first time on four attemtps, the Rams convert on third down from their own 25, as Stafford finds Robbert Woods for 19 yards and an easy first down.
9:51 p.m.: The Rams start with the ball for the second half and being at their own 25.
Halftime: Rams 13, Bears 7
9:51 p.m.: Another halftime note: David Montgomery joined legendary company with his touchdown run — he becomes the first Bear since Walter Payton to rush for a touchdown in six straight regular season games.
9:41 p.m.: Some halftime stats:
The Bears have 12 first downs to the Rams’ six and have run 34 plays on offense to the Rams’ 21, but it’s the Rams who seem to be making the most of their possessions, averaging 7.3 yards per play and 10.1 yards per pass.
It’s also been a fairly disciplined game by both sides, with the Bears taking just one penalty for five yards and the Rams taking two for 16.
Both turnovers have come from the Bears, who also have 89 yards on the ground compared to just 12 for the Rams.
9:37 p.m.: After an opening three-play, 80 yard drive on their first offensive series, the Rams are held in check for most of the rest of the first half as they head into the locker room up six.
9:32 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN BEARS. David Montgomery’s big night continues with a 3-yard touchdown, his first of the year. 89 yards on 11 carries so far for the Iowa State product. One score game with 34 seconds in the first half. Rams 13, Bears 7.
9:31 p.m.: Dalton makes a play with his legs and scrambles for nine yards. Brings up third-and-1 on the Rams’ 3.
9:27 p.m.: The two-minute warning arrives with the Bears facing second-and-7 on the Rams’ 20. It’s their second time in the redzone tonight; the first time resulted in an interception in the endzone from Dalton.
9:26 p.m.: Dalton and the Bears are marching so far, as he hits Allen Robinson for 9 yards and a first down nearing the redzone.
9:25 p.m.: David Montgomery has 71 yards so far with 4:12 left in the first half on just six carries. An efficient night and the Bears have first-and-10 at the Rams’ 35.
9:20 p.m.: Johnny Hekker comes on to punt for the Rams from their 9-yard line and the Bears will take over at their 45 with 4:42 left in the second.
9:19 p.m.: Stafford is sacked for the first time tonight and gets driven back to the Rams’ 2-yard line and setting up third-and-18.
9:14 p.m.: The Bears opt to punt after a three-and-out on the Rams’ 47 yard line. The first time tonight the Bears have punted and the Rams take over at their 11-yard line.
9:11 p.m.: Dalton hits Darnell Mooney for nine yards and the first down on the Bears’ 35. Follows that up with a nice throw to the Bears’ 42 after hitting Marquise Goodwin for seven yards.
9:07 p.m.: RAMS FIELD GOAL. Gay is 2-for-2 on the night, nailing the 22-yard chip shot and pushing the Rams’ lead to 13 with 11:39 left in the second. Rams 13, Bears 0.
9:06 p.m.: The Bears force the Rams to settle for a field goal attempt after the Rams make it to the Bears’ 4-yard line and will try and limit the damage.
9:03 p.m.: Van Jefferson with his second catch of the night rolls out on the play action pass for 13 yards to pick up the first down and convert it easily. Rams into the redzone a minute into the quarter.
9:02 p.m.: It’s fourth-and-1 on the Bears’ 32-yard line and the Rams ine up to go for it and then call a timeout.
9:00 p.m.: The Rams use wide receiver Robert Woods out of the backfield to open the quarter and he takes it seven yards to make it third-and-1 and on the Bears’ 32.
End first quarter: Rams 10, Bears 0
8:57 p.m.: The first quarter draws to a close with the Rams up 10-0 and facing second-and-8 on the Bears’ 39-yard line.
8:55 p.m.: The Bears go for it again on fourth down and come up short once again. Second turnover on downs for the Bears and the Rams take over at their own 41 yard line.
8:54 p.m.: Fields’ second stint is short lived and Dalton hits Damiere Byrd for 11 yards on third-and-14.
8:52 p.m.: The Bears get bailed out and gain 34 yards on a 19 yard completion to Marqise Goodwin and then a 15-yard penalty. Fields comes back out for the Bears on the first down play from their own 41.
8:48 p.m: RAMS FIELD GOAL. Gay nails the 53-yarder as it hugs the left upright and makes it a two score game early. Rams 10, Bears 0.
8:47 p.m.: Stafford looks for Jefferson again on third-and-five and airs it out down field but comes up short to bring up fourth-and-5. Rams call on Matt Gay for the 53-yard attempt.
8:45. p.m: 13-year veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson snags an 18-yard pass, his first as a Ram to set up a first down.
8:40 p.m.: The Bears’ second drive of the game results in fourth-and-4 on the Rams 41 and they turn it over on downs after Jalen Ramsey breaks up the pass intended for Allen Robinson. Rams start at their own 41.
8:37 p.m.: Bears feeding Montgomery early to start the game. Two carries for 55 yards for the Iowa State product so far.
8:32 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN RAMS. On just their third play of the season, the Rams find the endzone after a running Stafford hits Van Jefferson on his second pass attempt for a 67-yard touchdown. Rams 7, Bears 0. That drive was just three plays and took just 1:18, but went 80 yards. Great start for the Rams.
8:32 p.m.: Stafford’s first pass as a Ram goes to tight end Tyler Higbee for an early first down.
8:28 p.m: RAMS INTERCEPTION. On third-and-6 from the Rams’ 8-yard line, Dalton’s pass is tipped and intercepted in the endzone immediately after a timeout. The Rams will start the Matt Stafford era at the 20-yard line.
8:26 p.m: Justin Fields enters the game in the redzone on the Rams’ 12-yard line and fires it for nine yards to set up third-and-1 on the Rams’ 3-yard line, but they get pushed back on a false start.
8:24 p.m.: After a 50 yard return to open the game, the Bears get a 41 yard gain right off the bat on a David Montgomery run.
8:23 p.m.: The Rams win the toss and defer, giving the Bears the ball to start.
8:20 p.m.: The Bears opted to start longtime veteran and three-time Pro-Bowler Andy Dalton ahead of touted rookie Justin Fields. But if history is any indication, Dalton may struggle tonight, as he’s done during Sundays past.
8:15 p.m.: Every NBC analyst picks the Rams to win this game in SoFi Stadium. Big emphasis rightly placed on Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, two of the league’s marquee defensive linemen. Both will be big factors tonight.
Bears vs. Rams start time
Kickoff: 8:20 p. m. ET TV channel (national): NBC Live stream: Peacock , fuboTV
The Bears vs. Rams game on “Sunday Night Football” is scheduled to start at 8:20 p.m. ET. It will cap the first full Sunday of action in the 2021 NFL season.
