Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Rams vs. Bears Preview: Divisional Round Odds, Prediction, and Injuries

Jason Dayee

The Los Angeles Rams face the Chicago Bears in a crucial NFC Divisional Round matchup on Sunday, Jan. 18, with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line. After surviving thrilling Wild Card scares, both franchises are looking to capitalize on high-powered offenses in freezing conditions. This Rams vs. Bears preview breaks down the odds, key storylines, recent form, and our final prediction.

Despite being the lower seed, the Rams open as road favorites, largely due to their offensive consistency and the Bears’ mounting injury concerns. With Matthew Stafford looking to add another ring to his collection and Caleb Williams aiming to cement his legacy in just his second year, the stakes at Soldier Field could not be higher.

Game Details

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
  • TV: NBC
  • Streaming: Peacock, FuboTV
  • Odds: Rams -3.5 | O/U 48.5 | Moneyline: Rams -195, Bears +165

Team Form & Recent Results

Both teams enter this contest following dramatic, down-to-the-wire victories in the Wild Card round.

Los Angeles Rams Recent Form

The Rams (13-5) escaped the Wild Card round with a 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers. Matthew Stafford orchestrated his 54th career game-winning drive, capping it off with a 19-yard touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds remaining.

  • Last 5 Games: 4-1
  • Key Stat: The Rams offense ranks 1st overall in the NFL and 1st in scoring.
  • Trend: Los Angeles has scored at least 30 points and amassed 400+ yards in seven games this season, including last week’s playoff win.

Chicago Bears Recent Form

The Bears (12-6) proved their resilience by overcoming an 18-point halftime deficit to defeat the Green Bay Packers 31-27. Chicago scored 25 points in the fourth quarter alone, marking their seventh comeback win of the season.

  • Last 5 Games: 3-2
  • Key Stat: Chicago led the NFL in turnover differential (+22) and takeaways (33) during the regular season.
  • Trend: The Bears struggle to protect the passer recently but excel in “clutch” moments, leading the league in fourth-quarter points from Weeks 9 through 18.

Key Storylines: Rams vs. Bears Preview

The Weather Factor

The forecast for Sunday night at Soldier Field calls for temperatures in the single digits or low 20s, potentially with snow. While the Bears are acclimated to the cold, the Rams have been practicing in 80-degree heat in Woodland Hills. Head Coach Sean McVay downplayed the issue, joking about sitting in a cold plunge for three hours to prepare. However, ball security and grip will be major talking points for the dome-based Rams.

Critical Injury Updates

The injury report heavily favors Los Angeles. The Rams expect right guard Kevin Dotson to return from an ankle injury, solidifying an offensive line that is already performing well. Conversely, the Bears suffered significant losses last week. Linebacker T.J. Edwards (broken fibula) and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo (ruptured patellar tendon) are out for the season. Theo Benedet will step in at left tackle, a matchup the Rams’ pass rush will likely target.

Stafford vs. Williams

This game features two quarterbacks at opposite ends of their careers but playing at elite levels. Stafford, seeking his second Super Bowl, remains one of the league’s best clutch performers. Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in 2024, set a franchise playoff record with 361 passing yards in his debut. However, Williams must avoid the “head-scratching” turnovers that occasionally plague his game against a Rams team that punishes mistakes.

Players to Watch

Los Angeles Rams

  • Puka Nacua (WR): Nacua was dominant against Carolina, hauling in 10 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. With the Bears’ secondary dealing with injuries, expect Stafford to look his way often.
  • Jared Verse (LB): With Bears starting LT Ozzy Trapilo out, Verse (7.5 sacks in regular season) has a prime opportunity to disrupt the pocket. His ability to pressure Williams without the Rams needing to blitz will be vital.

Chicago Bears

  • Caleb Williams (QB): Williams threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards this season. He must replicate his fourth-quarter heroics from the Wild Card round against a Rams defense that ranks 17th overall.
  • Montez Sweat (DE): The Rams’ O-line is getting healthy, but Sweat remains Chicago’s best bet for disruption. He needs to move Stafford off his spot to help a secondary that surrendered four touchdowns to Jordan Love last week.

Matchup Breakdown

Offense vs. Defense

The Rams hold a distinct advantage in the trenches. The return of Kevin Dotson gives Los Angeles a fully healthy offensive line against a Bears defensive front that graded poorly (via PFF) for much of the season. Chicago’s strength is their opportunistic secondary, led by Jaylon Johnson and Kevin Byard, but they have given up 32 passing touchdowns this year. If Stafford has time, he should be able to exploit the Bears’ zone coverages.

On the other side, the Bears’ offense relies on the deep ball and tight end Colston Loveland. However, the loss of left tackle Ozzy Trapilo is a massive blow. The Rams’ pass rush, featuring Byron Young and Jared Verse, will attack the left side relentlessly. Chicago will likely need to chip with tight ends, limiting their route combinations.

Coaching Strategy

This is a chess match between two premier offensive minds: Sean McVay and Ben Johnson. McVay is 2-2 in divisional games and excels at scripting opening drives to quiet road crowds. Johnson has transformed the Bears’ offense, but his aggression on fourth downs will be tested against a disciplined Rams squad. The key tactical battle will be in the red zone, where the Rams rank 1st in scoring efficiency.

Prediction

This game will be a clash of styles: the Rams’ consistent, high-powered efficiency against the Bears’ chaotic, big-play resilience. While Chicago has home-field advantage and the cold weather on their side, the injury disparity is too large to ignore. losing a starting left tackle and the defensive play-caller (Edwards) in the middle of the field is catastrophic against a veteran QB like Stafford.

Expect Caleb Williams to keep it close with his legs and off-script plays, but the Rams’ offensive line dominance will allow Kyren Williams to control the clock late in the freezing conditions.

Prediction: Rams 28, Bears 24

Originally from Staten Island, New York, I’ve spent most of my adult life in Arizona, where my passion for sports continues to grow. A proud University of Arizona graduate, I developed my journalism skills covering mostly football, basketball, and a few other sports for the Daily Wildcat and UATV-3.

Now covering the Kansas City Chiefs for Total Apex Sports, I aim to tell authentic stories that highlight the journeys, triumphs, and challenges of athletes today. I’m passionate about connecting with readers through honest and insightful coverage that reflects my deep love for the game.

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