The Rams and Bears square off in Chicago on Sunday evening in what is expected to be a frigid night in the Windy City. With L.A. laying 3.5 points as a road favorite, is the wrong team favored in this Rams vs. Bears NFL Divisional round matchup?
Rams vs. Bears Game Day Information
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📅 Game Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
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📍 Location: Soldier Field — Chicago, IL
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📺 TV: NBC (Sunday Night Football)
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⏰ Kickoff: ~6:30 p.m. ET
Opening line: Rams -4/Bears +4
🔥 Storyline & Game Flow
Chicago Bears (12–6)
The Bears are riding the momentum of one of the most improbable comebacks in franchise history, storming back from an 18-point deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers, 31–27, in the Wild Card round. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sensational — throwing for a franchise playoff record 361 yards and two late TDs — and now gets his biggest test yet in just his second NFL season. Williams has quickly become the emotional and competitive heartbeat of Chicago’s offense.
Head coach Ben Johnson has his team peaking at the right time, blending a physical run game, improved offensive line play, and opportunistic defense that forced several takeaways in the regular season.
Los Angeles Rams (13–5)
The Rams enter Soldier Field as a seasoned playoff squad under Sean McVay, with veteran QB Matthew Stafford leading one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses — first in overall, passing, and scoring offense. Stafford’s chemistry with star WR Puka Nacua has been elite all season; Nacua led the league in receptions and remains Stafford’s most dangerous target.
LA’s defense, featuring pass rushers like Jared Verse and Byron Young, has been inconsistent late in the year, giving up more points in recent weeks than earlier in the season.
Public Betting Tickets
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📊 Keys to the Game
What Bears Need to Win
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Establish the run and control tempo against LA’s high-powered offense.
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Pressure Stafford into turnovers against their ball-hawking defense.
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Use home-field advantage and cold weather (teens and single-digit wind chills) to disrupt LA’s timing.
What Rams Need to Win
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Neutralize Williams with consistent pass rush and coverage.
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Get big plays from Puka Nacua — he’s likely to be a focal point again.
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Keep offensive rhythm despite frigid conditions and Chicago’s physical front.
🔥 Impact Players
👕 Bears
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QB Caleb Williams — clutch playoff performer
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WR DJ Moore — breakout postseason receiving
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Defense — strong turnover rate
👕 Rams
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QB Matthew Stafford — veteran playoff QB
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WR Puka Nacua — elite receiving threat
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Pass Rush — Verse & Young provide pressure
🧠 Rams vs. Bears Prediction
This game could easily turn into a shootout, but Chicago’s home-field adversity, colder conditions, and rising belief under Williams gives them a slight edge. The Bears’ defense will make critical stops in the second half, and Williams will extend drives when it matters most.
➡️ Final Score Projection:
Bears 28 — Rams 24
Chicago advances to the NFC Championship on the back of gritty play and playoff poise.
The Pick: Bears +3.5
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