If you’re a Chicago fan, your blood pressure is probably just starting to return to something resembling a normal human range. That 18-point comeback against the Packers in the Wild Card round? Pure, unadulterated chaos. But there’s no time to breathe. The question of who do the Bears play next has a very loud, very dangerous answer: the Los Angeles Rams.
This isn't just a regular game. We are talking about the NFC Divisional Round. It’s happening this Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Soldier Field. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. ET).
Honestly, it feels a bit like destiny. The last time these two met in the postseason was 1985. You know, the year Chicago fans still talk about like it was yesterday? Mike Ditka’s crew embarrassed the Rams 24-0 in the NFC Championship on the way to a ring. Now, four decades later, the stakes are just as high.
Who do the Bears play next and why it’s a total nightmare for defenses
The Rams are coming to town with the #1 ranked offense in the league. Matthew Stafford, even at this stage of his career, is playing like he found the fountain of youth. He threw for over 4,700 yards and 46 touchdowns this season. That’s a career high. He’s got Puka Nacua and Davante Adams catching everything in sight.
But here is the catch.
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Stafford is reportedly dealing with a sprained index finger on his throwing hand. In the California sun? Maybe not a big deal. In the 15-degree "real feel" wind chill of a January night at Soldier Field? That’s a massive problem.
Stafford’s record in games below 20 degrees is 1-8. If he can't grip the ball or find his usual velocity, the Bears' secondary—led by Jaylon Johnson and Kevin Byard—is going to have a field day. Chicago led the NFL with 33 takeaways this year. They thrive on mistakes.
The Caleb Williams Factor
On the other side, Caleb Williams has basically become the King of the North in his rookie-plus era. While Stafford struggles in the cold, Caleb seems to get better. He’s 3-1 in freezing conditions.
The coolest thing about this Bears team under Ben Johnson? They never die. They’ve won seven games this season when trailing in the final two minutes. Seven! That is a franchise record and an NFL high for 2025.
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If the Bears are down by 10 in the fourth quarter, don't turn off the TV. Caleb has a 128.5 passer rating on third downs when trailing. He’s basically built for the drama.
Breaking down the matchup
The Rams' defense is the weak link here. Since Week 13, they’ve been giving up over 28 points per game. They started the season hot, but they’ve cooled off significantly.
Chicago’s path to victory is pretty straightforward but hard to execute:
- Stop the run: Kyren Williams and Blake Corum are a two-headed monster. If the Bears' front seven, featuring Montez Sweat and Grady Jarrett, can't plug the gaps, Stafford won't even need to throw the ball.
- Pressure the finger: You have to make Stafford uncomfortable. Every hit on that throwing hand makes it harder to stay accurate in the cold.
- Feed DJ Moore: The connection between Williams and Moore is the reason they beat Green Bay. Expect a lot of targets early to test the Rams' secondary.
Practical Info for the Game
If you're looking to actually attend this thing, bring your heavy coat and maybe some hand warmers. It’s going to be brutal.
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- Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.
- When: Sunday, Jan 18, 2026.
- Time: 5:30 PM CST.
- TV: NBC (Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are on the call).
- Streaming: Peacock.
- Tickets: Good luck. Prices on SeatGeek and Vivid Seats are currently starting around $400 for the "cheap" seats.
The winner of this game moves on to the NFC Championship on January 25. If the 49ers lose their matchup, there’s a world where the Bears actually host the title game at Soldier Field. Imagine that.
The biggest misconception about the 2025-2026 Bears is that they are "lucky" because of all the late-game comebacks. It's not luck when you do it seven times. It’s a culture shift. Whether they can do it against a powerhouse like McVay’s Rams is the only thing that matters now.
Your Post-Game Checklist
- Charge your devices: If you’re streaming on Peacock, don't let your phone die during the inevitable two-minute drill.
- Monitor the injury report: Keep a close eye on Stafford’s finger and any last-minute additions to the Bears' pass rush, like the rumored Darrell Taylor signing.
- Layer up: If you’re going to the game, three layers aren't enough. Go for four.
Check the local Chicago weather forecasts starting Saturday morning; the wind off the lake usually dictates how much the passing game will actually factor into the final score.