The Chicago Bears are gearing up to host the Los Angeles Rams in what promises to be an electric NFC Divisional Round playoff game on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Soldier Field. Coming off an unforgettable Wild Card thriller where they erased an 18-point deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27—with Caleb Williams delivering a game-winning touchdown pass to DJ Moore—the Bears enter as the No. 2 seed with a 12-6 record (including playoffs). This marks their first divisional round appearance since 2011, and the energy in Chicago is off the charts after ending long droughts and turning Soldier Field into a true fortress.
The Rams, seeded No. 5 with a 13-5 record, advanced with their own nail-biter, rallying to edge the Carolina Panthers 34-31 on Matthew Stafford’s late touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson. They bring one of the league’s most potent offenses to town, led by Stafford’s veteran savvy and a dynamic passing attack that’s been lighting up scoreboards all season.
Looking at the history between these two teams, the Bears hold the overall edge with a 55-39-3 record in regular season and postseason matchups (including a 1-1 playoff split). Chicago took the most recent regular-season meeting back in 2024, winning 24-18 at Soldier Field, where a young Caleb Williams showed flashes of what he’s capable of. The teams’ most famous playoff clash came in 1985, when the Bears blanked the Rams 24-0 in the NFC Championship on their way to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. Recent games have stayed competitive, with each side claiming three wins in the last six overall.
A few key players could decide this one. For the Bears, second-year quarterback Caleb Williams has been the breakout star under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. His poise, deep accuracy, and ability to extend plays were on full display in the comeback against Green Bay, and he’ll look to exploit mismatches with weapons like DJ Moore, rookie tight end Colston Loveland, and a returning Rome Odunze. On the other side, Matthew Stafford—fresh off earning 2025 AP First-Team All-Pro honors—leads the Rams with elite production, having thrown for over 4,700 yards and 46 touchdowns this season. His favorite target, wide receiver Puka Nacua (another unanimous All-Pro), dominated the league in receptions and yards per game, making their connection one of the toughest matchups in football.
Here are some intense shots capturing the Bears’ playoff magic and key stars in action:
And here’s Matthew Stafford driving the Rams’ explosive offense:
Injury-wise, the Bears look in good shape heading into this matchup. Rome Odunze returned strong from his foot issue in the Wild Card win, and while some defensive players dealt with bumps earlier (like concussions), the team has shown they can bounce back. No major new concerns popped up post-Packers game.
The Rams should be at near-full strength too—Stafford and Nacua are healthy and rolling, with no big setbacks reported from their Wild Card battle. They cleared several players (including tight end Tyler Higbee and others with minor issues) before the playoffs kicked off.
As for lineups, expect the Bears to feature Williams at QB with a revamped offensive line and a loaded receiving group heavy on Moore, Loveland, and Odunze. Their defense has risen to the occasion in big spots. The Rams will lean on Stafford slinging it to Nacua as the top target, with tight end Colby Parkinson and a balanced run game providing support—their unit ranks near the top in yards and points.
Bears fans are riding a wave of pure excitement after snapping years of frustration with that Wild Card win—the stadium was literally shaking, and expectations are soaring for a deep run in Ben Johnson’s debut season. Rams supporters are confident in Stafford’s playoff experience and their high-powered attack, seeing this as a winnable road test against a talented but still-rising team.
This matchup blends Chicago’s comeback grit and home-field roar with LA’s proven explosiveness—it’s got all the makings of a high-scoring, edge-of-your-seat showdown!
