So, if you're looking for the final score of the "game tonight," there’s a quick bit of housekeeping we need to do first. Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. The Chicago Bears actually played their heart-stopping Wild Card game last Saturday, January 10. They won that one in a way that had half of Chicago checking their blood pressure.
They beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27.
But if you are asking about "tonight" specifically, the lights at Soldier Field are actually dark right now. The Bears don't play their next game until tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026. They’ll be hosting the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. It’s a 5:30 p.m. CT kickoff on NBC.
Honestly, the city is still vibrating from what happened last week. People are calling it the "Cardiac Bears" era for a reason. You’ve probably heard the buzz—Caleb Williams didn't just play; he survived a nightmare first half to pull off the biggest postseason comeback in franchise history.
The Comeback That Defined the Season
The Packers game was, frankly, a disaster for the first thirty minutes. Chicago was down 21-3 at halftime. Jordan Love was carving up the secondary, and it felt like the same old story where Green Bay owns the North.
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Then things got weird.
Coach Ben Johnson—who has basically become a folk hero in Chicago this year—apparently showed the team clips of the Patriots' 28-3 comeback during halftime. Whether it was the tape or just pure desperation, the team that came out for the third quarter was different.
The defense, led by the veteran "glue guy" Grady Jarrett, absolutely clamped down. They forced three three-and-outs right out of the gate. That gave Williams the room he needed to start chipping away.
- First Half Score: 21-3 Packers
- Final Score: 31-27 Bears
It wasn't a clean win. Caleb Williams threw two interceptions. He finished with a 71.6 passer rating, which doesn't look like "elite" territory on paper. But he also threw for 361 yards—a new Bears playoff record.
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The play everyone is still talking about happened on fourth-and-8 from the Bears' 43-yard line. Williams was under massive pressure, scrambled left, squared his shoulders, and found Rome Odunze for 27 yards. That set up the go-ahead touchdown to DJ Moore with 1:43 left on the clock.
Why Tomorrow’s Game Against the Rams is Different
Now, all eyes are on Sunday night. The Rams are coming to town with the league’s top-ranked offense. It’s going to be freezing. We’re talking classic "Bear Weather" at Soldier Field.
The Rams have Jared Verse and a pass rush that is going to test Williams' ability to stay in the pocket. In the Wild Card win, Williams relied heavily on rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who had a massive day with 137 yards. The Rams have likely seen that tape ten times by now.
Expect the Rams to bracket Loveland and force Williams to find his secondary options like Olamide Zaccheaus or Keenan Allen.
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Key Factors for the Divisional Round:
- The Health Factor: The Bears are relatively healthy. Only DB Nick McCloud is officially ruled out with a groin injury.
- The Home Field: Soldier Field was literally shaking last week. The "4th Phase" (the fans) is expected to be even louder for the Divisional Round.
- The Weather: Early forecasts suggest a frigid night. Los Angeles teams historically struggle when the mercury drops below freezing in Chicago.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning on watching the game tomorrow, make sure your streaming setup is ready. It’s on NBC and Peacock. If you’re one of the lucky ones heading to the stadium, the Bears are advising fans to arrive early because of the extra security and weather precautions.
- Check your digital wallet: Tickets are 100% mobile. Download them before you get to the gate.
- Layer up: Lakefront winds in January are no joke.
- Watch the injury report: Keep an eye on any last-minute scratches tomorrow morning, particularly in the secondary, to see how they’ll handle the Rams' deep threats.
The Bears are currently 4-point underdogs according to most sportsbooks. But after seeing them come back from an 18-point deficit against their biggest rival, betting against them feels like a risky move. Chicago hasn't seen a Divisional Round home game in ages, and the energy is peaking at the right time.
Actionable Step: Set your DVR or clear your schedule for 5:30 p.m. CT tomorrow. This isn't just another game; it's the farthest the Bears have gone in the playoffs since 2010. If Caleb Williams plays the way he did in the fourth quarter last week, we might be looking at an NFC Championship appearance.