Rams vs Bears Tips | NFL Divisional Round Predictions

Wild winter conditions at Soldier Field are set to play a major role when the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears in the NFL Divisional Round. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00am AEDT, with freezing temperatures and wind expected to level the playing field in what shapes as another one-score Chicago classic.

The Bears enter as 3.5-point underdogs at home, but given their knack for late-game drama and the conditions forecast, this matchup has all the ingredients to come down to the final drive.

Competition: NFL Playoffs – Divisional Round

Match: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears

Date: Sunday, 18 January 2026

Kick-off: 7:00 AM AEDT

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago

Soldier Field in January is never friendly, and with wild weather expected, this game profiles as a tight, grind-it-out contest. Chicago have played 12 one-score games this season, consistently keeping matches close regardless of opponent quality.

Caleb Williams has already authored seven game-winning fourth-quarter drives this season, and if this game comes down to one possession — as the odds suggest — backing the Bears with a field-goal start is the safest angle.

Cold conditions typically favour short, high-percentage passing and that suits Luther Burden III perfectly. The rookie has become a trusted target for Williams, particularly on screens and underneath routes.

Burden averages 7.7 yards after the catch per reception, making him a strong candidate to clear this modest yardage total in just a handful of touches. He has gone over this line in six of his last eight games.

Loveland remains Caleb Williams’ most trusted red-zone option. Despite heavy defensive attention, he continues to draw consistent end-zone targets, averaging two red-zone looks per game over his last five appearances.

In a game where touchdowns may be at a premium, Loveland is well positioned to be Chicago’s difference-maker.

Los Angeles boast the league’s most explosive offence, but defensively they have shown vulnerability in the secondary, allowing big plays late in games. If Williams is afforded time, even in tough conditions, Chicago can sustain drives and stay competitive.