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Frigid weather could shape Bears-Rams NFC Divisional Round matchup

The Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams NFC Divisional game could be decided by Mother Nature, as frigid temperatures are expected at kickoff.

Published

2 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Bryan Perez

(Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

The Chicago Bears will reap the benefits of home-field advantage in Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, thanks to more than just the Soldier Field crowd.

The expected frigid temperatures at kickoff should have a very real impact on the West Coast Rams, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, who’s already nursing a painful finger injury.

Banging his finger against a helmet or into the ground is bad enough. Make that helmet and the Soldier Field turf frozen? Yep, that’ll hurt even more.

MORE: Two devastating injuries threaten Bears’ playoff push vs. Rams

It’s expected to be so cold on Sunday that we could experience one of the 10 coldest games ever played in Chicago.

#Bears are set for the late game Sunday vs the #LA #Rams

Bundle up if you’re going. This will likely fall into the top 10 coldest games ever at Soldier Field.

NWS model blend has been insisting on near zero wind chills and only in the teens for kickoff temperature about 6PM… https://t.co/XKJMNrlAqg pic.twitter.com/EfSEVWVzxA
— WindyCity Weather and News (@WindyCityWxMan) January 13, 2026

Indeed, Chicago Bears players aren’t immune to the cold. Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and the rest of the team’s skill players have to navigate the same uncomfortable elements as the Rams’ stars.

But the Bears are undoubtedly more used to the cold. They live in it; they practice in it. Hopefully, on Sunday, they’ll win in it, too.

Working in the Bears’ favor is the scheduled kickoff time: 5:30 p.m. CT/6:30 p.m ET. The later it gets, the colder it gets.

Advantage, Chicago.

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