Updated Jan. 17, 2026, 1:21 p.m. CT
The Chicago Bears are set to face the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs.A win would send the Bears to the NFC Championship for the first time since the 2010 season.Analysts predict cold weather and wind could be a factor in the game against the Rams.The Bears are coming off a comeback win against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.
The Chicago Bears (12-6) will battle the Los Angeles Rams (13-5), where Chicago is looking to earn a trip to the NFC Championship for the first time since the 2010 season.
The Bears are coming off a 31-27 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round, where Chicago scored 25 points in the fourth quarter and came up with some big stops. Quarterback Caleb Williams lived up to his Iceman moniker and delivered in the clutch. But Sunday night’s game against the Rams is going to require all three phases and all 60 minutes if they hope to take down a dominant Los Angeles squad.
Can the Bears upset a dominant Rams team for a trip to the NFC Championship? Our Bears Wire staff make their game predictions for Chicago-Los Angeles in the divisional round.
Alyssa Barbieri (13-5): Bears 30, Rams 27
It’s still crazy to me that the Bears are just one win away from heading to the NFC Championship Game. And while I would’ve much rather faced the Eagles and their stumbling offense, the Rams are not invincible, and the Panthers have proven just that on two separate occasions this season. My head is telling me to pick Los Angeles, and I was so very close to doing so. But who am I to once again doubt Chicago’s divine ability to mount the most improbable of comebacks? Especially as the scene is being set for another thrilling finish.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
There’s been a lot of talk of the weather, and while it won’t be the defining factor in this one, it will be a factor. The latest forecast calls for 20 degrees, with a real-feel of 2 degrees, at kickoff with plenty of wind (14-17 miles per hour) with gusts reaching 21 miles per hour, as well as snow throughout the game. The Bears have played and practiced for months in these conditions, while the Rams’ coldest game this season was in the 50s. Those conditions won’t make things any easier on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who’s nursing an injured index finger on his throwing hand.
The Bears defense is going to struggle against this high-powered Rams offense, there’s no way around it. They have MVP candidate Stafford, arguably the best receiver in the game in Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Sean McVay and a solid run game. But, as we’ve seen with Dennis Allen in the past, it will be all about those halftime adjustments. Still, Chicago’s offense is going to need to step up in this one, which could wind up being a cold-weather version of Bears-49ers from Week 17. Los Angeles’ defensive front seven is nothing to scoff at, and if they can give Caleb Williams time, there’s an opportunity to attack downfield. This is also another opportunity for the run game to establish dominance. If Chicago can win the battle in the trenches, it could wind up being the difference.
Here’s what it all comes down to: If the Bears are in this game in the fourth quarter, there’s a good chance they win. They have an NFL record seven fourth-quarter comebacks, and it’s that crunch time where Caleb Williams and his team shine the brightest. And, with an assist by the Chicago weather, I expect the Bears to be in this game at the end, and screw it, I’m taking Chicago to stun everyone and advance to the NFC Championship Game. Regardless, it’s been a fun season, and the future is blindingly bright.
It still doesn’t feel real that the Chicago Bears are playing football on divisional round weekend, arguably the best sports weekend of the year. And it feels like the NFL saved the best for last, putting the Bears’ clash against the Los Angeles Rams at the end of the weekend. There will be fireworks on the lakefront with these two offenses led by arguably the best clutch quarterbacks in the league, and it should be a track race as the game enters the final minutes.
The Rams are a dangerous team with veteran leadership. Sean McVay has been here time and time again, while Matthew Stafford is as proven as anyone with elite weapons at his disposal, though his injured finger will be something to monitor. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will be difficult to stop, meaning the defensive line must get consistent pressure up front to disrupt Stafford. The Rams can hit defenses from all different spots so the Bears defense will need to hang on for dear life.
Thankfully, the Bears offense is just as dangerous. Caleb Williams can quite literally make any throw on the field, and his trust in his pass catchers is as strong as ever. Colston Loveland continues to ascend, while players like DJ Moore, Luther Burden, and Rome Odunze are delivering when their number is called.
The key to victory will be establishing a strong ground game, though. The Bears’ run game has cooled off over the last few weeks, averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game over the last three weeks. Getting D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai going while keeping the Rams offense on the chilly sidelines will go a long way in helping the Bears win this game.
Of course, this matchup will come down to the fourth quarter with Williams and Stafford trading blows. They were tied for the most fourth-quarter touchdowns in the regular season with 11, and each player threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns last week in their respective playoff matchups. Expect a crazy final 15 minutes, but the Bears miraculously pull out another victory with a memorable drive from Williams. The Cinderella story continues on.
Mike Pendleton (12-6): Bears 38, Rams 27
There’s no reason to believe that the Bears have “overachieved” or “gotten lucky” anymore, not at this stage of the postseason. Eight teams remain in the hunt for the Super Bowl trophy this season, and while their wins have been in dramatic fashion, the Bears have proven themselves time and time again, they’re worthy of where they are this season.
It’s hard to say that a dangerous Rams offense is the best matchup for a vulnerable Bears defense, but it may be the exact test they need to not only show what they’re capable of, but what they might need to address moving forward into next year. There are not many answers for defending Puka Nacua, and the Bears secondary had a tough showing last week, but if they can show just a glimpse of how they performed in the second half against the Packers, they have a chance.
Chicago’s offense is going to be the whole focus and so is the season-long question that has yet to be answered, can the Bears play a complete four quarters of football for once? Needing to establish the run above all else, Chicago’s offense could be their best defense if they can put together long and sustainable drives that result in touchdowns, not field goals. There’s not much more that Caleb Williams has to prove to the public, he’ll always have naysayers, but this comes down much more to Ben Johnson going head-to-head against Sean McVay. Every game forward is the team’s “biggest” game yet, but now more than ever, Johnson has to show just how good of a coach he has become in his first season.
Vinnie Parise (11-7): Bears 30, Rams 24
The Chicago Bears, otherwise known as the “Cardiac Bears”, have continued to find ways to win football games. Their NFL leading 7 wins when trailing with under two minutes remaining in regulation time should give everyone confidence that they can win under any circumstances.
The Rams’ offense, led by Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, & Devante Adams, is capable of gaining yards and scoring points. Against this leaky Bears’ defense, they will play well. Only time will tell if the weather or Matthew Stafford’s index finger injury will impact them on that side of the ball.
On the flip side, the Bears offense should be able to have success against the Rams defense just the same. Right now, especially if they run the ball with regularity, Caleb Williams has the ability to move his offense well in his own right. Whether it’s Colston Loveland, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, or someone else, they always have a weapon available to step up for Williams to hit in big moments.
All of this put together will keep the magic going for another week and get Chicago to Championship Sunday. A home win in this round comes when Caleb Williams finds a way to get it done with a late go-ahead touchdown to win 30-24.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram