Chicago Bears host Los Angeles Rams as Caleb Williams and Matthew Stafford headline cold-weather playoff clash at Soldier Field
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 13, 2026, 23:18 IST
The Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Rams in a high-stakes playoff game at Soldier Field, featuring Caleb Williams against veteran Matthew Stafford. Rams coach Sean McVay praised Williams’ late-game ability after Chicago’s historic comeback win over Green Bay. Stafford enters off an elite season despite a finger injury. The matchup will hinge on pressure, the run game, and which quarterback delivers when it matters most.
The Chicago Bears will host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Sunday night, in a playoff matchup that puts two quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford and Caleb Williams, at very different stages of their careers on the same stage.
Rams coach Sean McVay made it clear this week that Williams is the biggest challenge his team faces. He praised the Bears quarterback for his ability to change games quickly and said Chicago’s recent comeback wins show a team that truly believes it can finish strong. “He’s an explosive play waiting to happen,” McVay said to the reporters on Monday, calling Williams a difficult player to game-plan against.
That confidence was on full display last weekend. The Bears trailed Green Bay 21-3 at halftime and were still down 15 points late in the third quarter before storming back with 25 fourth-quarter points to pull off a historic playoff comeback. It was only the fourth time in NFL postseason history that a team had won after trailing by 15 or more.
Stafford enters the game coming off an outstanding season. He threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time, and remains one of the most accomplished playoff quarterbacks in the league. Despite spraining a finger on his throwing hand last week, McVay said Stafford pushed through the injury and will be ready, even with frigid conditions expected in Chicago.
Williams, in just his second NFL season, has already rewritten parts of Bears history. He threw for 3,942 yards, set a new single-season franchise record, and led eight fourth-quarter comeback wins. His poise late in games has become Chicago’s biggest strength heading into the divisional round.
Offensively, the Rams bring the league’s top scoring unit, led by Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and a balanced run game with Kyren Williams. Defensively, however, they have struggled recently, especially against the pass and in short-yardage situations, something the Bears could exploit if they commit to the run in the cold.
For Chicago, the key will be keeping Stafford uncomfortable. The Bears’ defense has had trouble generating pressure and getting off the field on third and fourth down in recent weeks. If that continues, Stafford could pick them apart. On offense, Chicago needs a stronger rushing attack to control the clock and keep the Rams’ firepower on the sideline.
McVay summed up the moment best when talking about the challenge ahead, saying the Rams are ready for what’s coming. “This is what it’s about,” he said.
Sunday night at Soldier Field will decide which team’s belief and quarterback proves stronger when it matters most.
Rams coach Sean McVay made it clear this week that Williams is the biggest challenge his team faces. He praised the Bears quarterback for his ability to change games quickly and said Chicago’s recent comeback wins show a team that truly believes it can finish strong. “He’s an explosive play waiting to happen,” McVay said to the reporters on Monday, calling Williams a difficult player to game-plan against.
That confidence was on full display last weekend. The Bears trailed Green Bay 21-3 at halftime and were still down 15 points late in the third quarter before storming back with 25 fourth-quarter points to pull off a historic playoff comeback. It was only the fourth time in NFL postseason history that a team had won after trailing by 15 or more.
Stafford enters the game coming off an outstanding season. He threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time, and remains one of the most accomplished playoff quarterbacks in the league. Despite spraining a finger on his throwing hand last week, McVay said Stafford pushed through the injury and will be ready, even with frigid conditions expected in Chicago.
Williams, in just his second NFL season, has already rewritten parts of Bears history. He threw for 3,942 yards, set a new single-season franchise record, and led eight fourth-quarter comeback wins. His poise late in games has become Chicago’s biggest strength heading into the divisional round.
Offensively, the Rams bring the league’s top scoring unit, led by Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and a balanced run game with Kyren Williams. Defensively, however, they have struggled recently, especially against the pass and in short-yardage situations, something the Bears could exploit if they commit to the run in the cold.
For Chicago, the key will be keeping Stafford uncomfortable. The Bears’ defense has had trouble generating pressure and getting off the field on third and fourth down in recent weeks. If that continues, Stafford could pick them apart. On offense, Chicago needs a stronger rushing attack to control the clock and keep the Rams’ firepower on the sideline.
McVay summed up the moment best when talking about the challenge ahead, saying the Rams are ready for what’s coming. “This is what it’s about,” he said.
Sunday night at Soldier Field will decide which team’s belief and quarterback proves stronger when it matters most.