Jan. 17, 2026, 12:20 p.m. CT

The Chicago Bears are hosting the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional playoff game at Soldier Field.Frigid temperatures, snow, and high winds are expected, which could favor the Bears.The Rams have struggled to hold leads this season, blowing three games.Los Angeles has a vulnerable special teams unit, which could give Chicago an advantage.

For the first time since the 2010 season, the Chicago Bears will be hosting a divisional playoff game at Soldier Field, welcoming the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.

There are a few big factors that could help Chicago at home, as a mid-January game is sure to be less than ideal football playing weather for a warm-weather team like Los Angeles, and the Bears will need every possible home-field advantage as possible.

The Rams are led by head coach Sean McVay and a star-studded offense headlined by Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams, giving Chicago’s defense plenty to prepare for. After putting together their seventh fourth quarter comeback of the season in their wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend, the Bears will have to ride their momentum in looking to continue their incredible run under head coach Ben Johnson.

Here are the top reasons for optimism for the Bears on Sunday night.

Cold weather

Sunday night’s game will be frigid, snowy and windy, which plays right into Chicago’s favor. The temperature is expected to be 20 degrees at kickoff with a real-feel of 2 degrees, and it’s only going to get colder as the game progresses. Snow and flurries are expected for most of the game, and the winds will be brutal (14-17 miles per hour with gusts up to 21 miles per hour). There is a vast difference between the cold weather record for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (3-1) and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (1-8), advantage going to Williams, although the sample size is much smaller. The weather conditions in Chicago are going to be frigid with quite the winter feel, and that should play right in the hands of the Bears defense. Stafford’s also coming in with a sprained index finger that may be bothered in the given weather conditions.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Rams have blown leads

Through the course of the season, the Rams blew three games, tied for the most in the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The biggest problem with their blown leads have been that two of them were with double-digit leads in the second half, including the Thursday Night Football collapse against the Seattle Seahawks. Los Angeles could have earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the NFC West crown, but their collapse against Seattle cost them all of that opportunity. Chicago’s fourth-quarter comebacks should be a big reason to worry for Los Angeles if the game is close or if the Rams carry a lead in the second half.

Rams’ vulnerable special teams

The special teams play for Los Angeles has been one of their biggest weaknesses all season, firing their coordinator after the collapse against the Seahawks, and still, it’s been an area of weakness. The Rams had a punt blocked against the Panthers in their wild-card matchup, and their punt coverage is one of the biggest areas of concern for their play. Los Angeles also allows the worst yards per punt return in the NFL, and with Devin Duvernay as their top return specialist, Chicago could have a big special teams advantage.

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