The lights are about to get really bright at Soldier Field. Honestly, if you're looking for NFL who plays sunday night football tonight, January 18, 2026, you've found the biggest ticket in town. We aren't just talking about a regular season game. This is the NFC Divisional Round. It’s the Los Angeles Rams traveling into the freezing heart of Chicago to take on the Bears.
The air is crisp. Well, actually, it's expected to be around 20 degrees with a wind chill that’ll make you question your life choices.
This game is more than just a bracket filler. It’s a clash of generations. On one side, you’ve got Matthew Stafford, the veteran who seems to have found a second (or third) youth in L.A. On the other? Caleb Williams. The kid who was supposed to save Chicago and, so far, is doing exactly that.
Why the Sunday Night Matchup is Total Chaos
Most people think the Rams are just a "warm weather team" that’s going to crumble when they see their own breath in the air. That's a mistake. They just knocked off the Carolina Panthers in a 34-31 nail-biter during Wild Card weekend. They’ve won 11 straight games when they’re favored by fewer than seven points. They're gritty.
Chicago? They’re coming off a massive emotional high after beating the Green Bay Packers 31-27. Beating Green Bay in the playoffs is basically a religious experience in Illinois.
But here is the thing: the Bears are the No. 2 seed for a reason. Their defense, led by Montez Sweat and Tremaine Edmunds, has been suffocating teams all year. They finished the season 11-6, and while they dropped their last two regular-season games, that win over the Pack proved they haven't lost their edge.
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The Stafford vs Williams Factor
Stafford is currently playing some of the best football of his career, which is wild to say at his age. He threw for over 4,700 yards this season. He’s averaging 2.7 passing touchdowns per game. If the Bears’ secondary—even with a healthy C.J. Gardner-Johnson—slips up once, Stafford will find Puka Nacua or Davante Adams. Yes, Davante Adams in a Rams jersey still feels weird, but his 14 touchdowns this year say he’s fitting in just fine.
Caleb Williams isn't playing like a typical young quarterback. 3,942 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in this environment? That’s elite. He’s got DJ Moore (who, thankfully for Bears fans, has no injury designation for tonight) and Rome Odunze, though Odunze is still a bit of a question mark with that foot.
Basically, you have the No. 1 ranked passing offense (Rams) going against a Bears team that is incredibly tough to beat at home.
Breaking Down the Game Day Logistics
If you’re planning your night around the game, here’s the actual breakdown of how this goes down.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM ET (5:30 PM local time in Chicago).
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You can catch the broadcast on NBC. If you’ve cut the cord, Peacock is your go-to for the live stream. They usually start the "Football Night in America" pre-game coverage around 6:00 PM ET, which is worth watching just to see how much the analysts are shivering on the sidelines.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Los Angeles Rams (5) at Chicago Bears (2) |
| Venue | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| TV Channel | NBC / Telemundo |
| Streaming | Peacock / Fubo |
| Weather | 20°F (Feels like 8°F), Wind 16 mph |
The betting lines are tight. Most Vegas books have the Rams as a 3.5-point favorite despite being the road team. That tells you everything you need to know about how much the experts trust Stafford’s experience over the Bears' home-field advantage.
Key Matchups to Watch
Keep an eye on the Rams' offensive line against the Bears' pass rush. Montez Sweat has 10 sacks on the season and he thrives in this weather. If he can get to Stafford early, it changes the entire geometry of the Rams' offense.
Also, watch Kyren Williams. The Rams' running back had over 1,200 yards this year. In a cold game like this, the team that can actually run the ball usually wins. If D’Andre Swift can’t get going for the Bears, Caleb Williams is going to have to throw 40+ times in 20-degree weather. That’s a recipe for turnovers.
The Road to the Super Bowl
Whoever wins tonight isn't just getting a trophy; they're moving one step closer to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
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The winner of Rams-Bears will move on to the NFC Championship game next Sunday, January 25. They’ll face either the San Francisco 49ers or the Seattle Seahawks, depending on how that divisional matchup shakes out. Seattle has the No. 1 seed and the home-field advantage, so the path through the NFC is basically a gauntlet of "NFC West" powerhouses.
In the AFC, we’ve already seen the Bills and Broncos battle it out, and the Texans are facing the Patriots. It’s a stacked weekend.
What This Means for You
If you’re a fan, tonight is about survival. If you’re a bettor, it’s about the "Under." Historically, these cold-weather playoff games at Soldier Field stay low-scoring because the ball turns into a rock and the wind plays tricks on every deep pass.
The "Over/Under" is currently sitting at 48.5. Given the Rams' high-powered offense, that might seem low, but Chicago in January is a different beast.
Actionable Steps for Sunday Night Football:
- Check the Final Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Rome Odunze. If he’s out, the Bears lose a massive vertical threat, allowing the Rams to double-team DJ Moore all night.
- Monitor the Wind: If the gusts in Chicago exceed 20 mph, the kicking game becomes a nightmare. Check the pre-game warmups to see how Cairo Santos and Joshua Karty are handling the crosswinds.
- Prepare Your Stream: If you're using Peacock, log in at least 15 minutes early. These high-traffic playoff games have been known to glitch during the initial surge of viewers.
- Watch the Trenches: Don't just watch the ball. Watch the left tackle for the Rams. If he's struggling with his footing on the grass at Soldier Field, Stafford is going to be under fire all night.
This is what playoff football is supposed to look like. Cold, loud, and unpredictable. Whether you're pulling for the rookie sensation or the grizzled veteran, tonight's game is the definitive answer to who plays Sunday Night Football in the most high-stakes way possible.