You’ve probably seen the highlights from Saturday’s absolute chaos, but now it’s time for the main event. If you are looking for who plays in the sunday night football game tonight, January 18, 2026, we have a massive NFC Divisional Round matchup on our hands. It’s the Los Angeles Rams traveling to the freezing confines of Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears.
This isn't just another game. This is Caleb Williams vs. Matthew Stafford. It's a battle between the "old guard" and the most hyped young quarterback in the league. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. local time in Chicago). You can catch the broadcast on NBC or stream it live via Peacock.
The Matchup: Rams vs. Bears at Soldier Field
Honestly, nobody expected the Bears to be here a year ago. But Caleb Williams has transformed this offense, and after a gritty 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, the "Monsters of the Midway" are legitimately scary again. On the other side, the Rams are coming off a tight 34-31 victory against the Carolina Panthers.
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Sean McVay’s squad is dangerous because they’ve been here before. Stafford has that veteran "ice in his veins" quality that is hard to bet against, even when the wind is whipping off Lake Michigan.
Key Game Details
- Matchup: (5) Los Angeles Rams at (2) Chicago Bears
- Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
- Weather: Expect it to be brutal. Forecasts say around 18°F with snow showers possible. This is classic Chicago playoff weather.
- Broadcaster: NBC / Peacock / Telemundo
Why This Sunday Night Game is Different
Usually, Sunday Night Football is just a regular-season staple. But because this is the Divisional Round, the stakes are astronomical. The winner of this game moves on to face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship next week. Seattle already handled their business by crushing the 49ers 41-6 on Saturday, so they are just waiting to see who they'll be hosting.
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The Rams are actually 3.5-point favorites according to most Vegas books, which is kind of wild considering the Bears are the higher seed and playing at home. It tells you everything you need to know about the respect people still have for Matthew Stafford's arm.
What to Watch for on the Field
Watch the Bears' defensive line. They’ve been elite at home this year. But the Rams' offensive line has been a bit of a MASH unit lately. With guys like Rob Havenstein on Injured Reserve, the Rams have had to get creative with their protection schemes. If the Bears can get to Stafford early, it could be a long, cold night for Los Angeles.
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Also, keep an eye on Caleb Williams’ mobility. In these temperatures, the ball gets hard as a rock. Throwing 40-yard lasers becomes a lot more difficult. Williams’ ability to scramble and pick up 8 yards on 3rd-and-6 might be the difference-maker tonight.
Earlier Today: Texans at Patriots
Before the Rams and Bears take the stage, we had the AFC side of the bracket playing out. The Houston Texans went into Foxborough to face the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. That game determines who will travel to Denver to face Bo Nix (who, unfortunately, just suffered a season-ending ankle injury) and the Broncos next weekend.
Actionable Insights for Tonight
If you’re planning to watch, here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the game:
- Check the Inactives: Keep a close eye on the final injury reports released 90 minutes before kickoff. The Bears have been relatively healthy, but the Rams are missing key pieces in their secondary.
- Streaming Setup: If you aren't using cable, make sure your Peacock app is updated. Playoff games usually see a massive spike in traffic, and you don’t want your stream lagging during a potential game-winning drive.
- Weather Factor: If you’re a bettor, the "Under" has been a popular play today given the snow and wind in Chicago. Soldier Field isn't known for being a track meet when the temperature drops below twenty degrees.
The path to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is getting narrower. By the time the clock hits zero tonight, we will know our final four teams. It’s going to be a loud, cold, and intense night in the Windy City.