If you’re refreshing your phone every five seconds wondering what time is the rams game on tonight, I have some news that might be a little annoying: there actually isn't a Rams game tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026.
I know, I know. It’s the middle of January. You’re ready for the playoffs. You probably saw some "Thursday Night Football" branding somewhere and assumed Matthew Stafford and the crew were taking the field under the lights. But the NFL playoff schedule is a different beast than the regular season. There are no Thursday games during the Divisional Round.
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Instead, the Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for a massive showdown against the Chicago Bears this coming Sunday, January 18.
When and where to watch the Rams
Since you're likely planning your weekend around this, here is the actual breakdown. The Rams (12-5) are heading into a freezing Soldier Field to face the Bears (11-6).
- Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT for the home crowd in LA)
- TV Channel: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
Basically, you have a few days to get your snacks ready and maybe find a warm coat if you're actually traveling to Chicago. It's going to be a primetime slot, the final game of the Divisional weekend, which usually means the highest ratings and the most drama.
Why isn't there a game tonight?
The NFL is pretty protective of its "Thursday Night Football" brand, but once the postseason hits, the schedule shifts to maximize weekend viewership. During the Divisional Round, the league sticks to a four-game slate across Saturday and Sunday.
Today is Thursday, January 15. The players are currently in the middle of their heavy practice week. For the Rams, that means Matthew Stafford is likely nursing that finger injury we’ve been hearing about—though reports say he's been a full participant in practice, so don't panic just yet.
If there were a game tonight, it would've been an insanely short turnaround for two teams that played absolute nail-biters last weekend. The Rams barely escaped the Carolina Panthers with a 34-31 win, and the Bears took down Green Bay 31-27. Both teams need every second of rest they can get.
The Saturday Slate
If you’re just looking for any football to watch, you'll have to wait until Saturday, January 17.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks follows at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
What to expect for Rams vs. Bears
This matchup is kind of fascinating. You’ve got a Rams team that is playing like they’re in a "tunnel vision" mode, as Stafford put it earlier this week. They are currently 4.5-point favorites according to most Vegas lines, but playing in Chicago in January is never a "sure thing."
The injury report is the thing to keep an eye on. While Stafford seems fine, Poona Ford (NT) and Kevin Dotson (OL) have been limited in practice. On the Chicago side, they’re dealing with eight players on the report, including some concerns in their secondary.
Honestly, the "tonight" confusion happens every year. We get so used to the Thursday/Sunday/Monday rhythm of the regular season that we forget the playoffs condensed into a "winner-takes-all" weekend format.
How to prepare for Sunday
Since you have a few nights off before the Rams actually play, you might want to double-check your Peacock login. Since the game is on NBC, it’ll be simulcast there. If you’re a radio person, you can catch the local call on ESPN LA 710 AM or 93.1 Jack FM.
- Check the weather: If you're betting the "Over," remember that Soldier Field wind can turn a high-flying offense into a ground-and-pound struggle real fast.
- Verify your local listings: While NBC is national, sometimes local affiliates have pre-game shows starting as early as 2:00 p.m. PT.
- Monitor the active roster: Final injury designations usually drop Friday afternoon.
Keep your Sunday afternoon clear. The Rams are one win away from the NFC Championship, and even though they aren't playing tonight, the wait for this Sunday night kickoff is going to feel like forever.
Actionable Next Steps: Check your local NBC affiliate's schedule for Sunday to see if there is any regional pre-game coverage you want to catch before the 3:30 p.m. PT kickoff. Also, verify that your Peacock subscription is active if you plan on streaming the game on a mobile device or smart TV, as playoff games often have high traffic that can lead to login delays if you aren't already signed in.