If you’re scrambling to figure out where is the NFL game played tonight, you aren't alone. It is January 18, 2026, and the Divisional Round of the playoffs is reaching its fever pitch. After a wild Saturday that saw the Broncos and Seahawks punch their tickets to the championship games, all eyes are now on the final slot in the NFC.
The game is at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the "Windy City" to face the Chicago Bears. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (which is 5:30 p.m. local time for those actually braving the lakefront). This isn't just another stadium; it’s a massive factor in how tonight is going to play out.
The cold reality of Soldier Field tonight
Honestly, the location is probably the biggest storyline of the game. You've got a Rams team coming from the sunny comforts of SoFi Stadium and a dome-like atmosphere, and they’re flying straight into a Chicago winter.
Soldier Field is notoriously difficult in January. The grass is usually chewed up. The wind off Lake Michigan can turn a standard 30-yard field goal into a total guessing game. For Matthew Stafford and the Rams' high-flying offense, this isn't exactly the ideal setup.
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The Bears, led by Caleb Williams, are actually the home underdogs in some books, despite being the No. 2 seed. It's weird. But that home-field advantage at Soldier Field is why many local fans are confident. They basically live for this weather. The Bears are coming off a massive comeback win against the Packers last week right here in the same spot, so the momentum is real.
Quick details for tonight’s matchup:
- Matchup: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (2) Chicago Bears
- Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT
- Network: NBC and Peacock
Why tonight is different for the Rams
Usually, when we talk about where is the NFL game played tonight, we’re just looking for a city name so we can set our DVRs. But tonight, the "where" impacts the "how."
Sean McVay’s offense relies on timing. It relies on speed. When you put that onto the often-slippery turf of Chicago in mid-January, things slow down. We saw the Texans and Patriots play earlier today in Foxborough, which was chilly, but Chicago is its own beast.
If the Rams can’t establish a run game early, Stafford is going to have a long night trying to zip passes through that crosswind. The Bears' defense has been opportunistic all year, especially at home. They thrive on the chaos that a cold, loud Soldier Field creates.
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A look at the stadium's impact on the betting lines
Most experts were leaning Rams earlier in the week because of their experience. But as the forecast solidified, the line moved.
It’s currently sitting around Rams -3.5. That’s a tight spread for a Divisional game. People are worried about the venue. If this game were in Los Angeles, the Rams might be 7-point favorites. The fact that it’s in Chicago has effectively "bought" the Bears three or four points in the eyes of Vegas.
What happened earlier today?
Before the primetime showdown in Chicago, we had the AFC side of the bracket finishing up.
- The Houston Texans traveled to Gillette Stadium.
- They faced the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET.
- The winner of that game moves on to face the Denver Broncos next week.
Soldier Field’s history in the playoffs
Soldier Field has been the site of some legendary—and some heartbreaking—moments. Remember the "Double Doink"? That happened right here. The stadium is the oldest in the NFL, and while it’s been renovated, it still feels like a gladiatorial pit when the sun goes down and the temperature drops below freezing.
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For Caleb Williams, this is the biggest game of his young career. Winning a Divisional game at home would cement his status in Chicago sports lore forever. On the other side, Stafford is trying to prove he’s still got that postseason magic even when the conditions are miserable.
Getting there and watching
If you’re one of the lucky ones with a ticket, traffic toward the Museum Campus is going to be a nightmare. It always is. Between the lakefront closures and the playoff security, give yourself an extra hour. Basically, if you aren't already there, you're late.
For the rest of us on the couch, the broadcast is on NBC. If you've cut the cord, Peacock is your go-to. They’ve been leaning hard into the exclusive streaming lately, but for this one, you can still catch it on traditional TV.
Actionable steps for tonight’s game
- Check the wind speeds: Look at the hourly forecast for Chicago right before kickoff. If the gusts are over 20 mph, lean toward the "Under" on total points.
- Watch the kickers: During warmups, pay attention to how the ball is moving. Kicking toward the north end zone at Soldier Field is notoriously harder than the south.
- Peacock or NBC: Make sure your login works now. There’s nothing worse than the "Football Night in America" intro starting and you’re stuck resetting a password.
- Keep an eye on the turf: If players are slipping in the first quarter, expect both teams to abandon the deep ball and stick to a conservative ground-and-pound strategy.
Soldier Field is going to be loud, cold, and potentially the deciding factor in who moves on to the NFC Championship against the Seahawks next Sunday. Enjoy the game.