Image Source: Dakayla Hawkins
Key Takeaways:
- The Los Angeles Rams will face the Chicago Bears in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday.
- Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has "tunnel vision" on the upcoming game and is focused on executing.
- The Rams are preparing for cold weather in Chicago, with temperatures expected to be around 20 degrees or lower with a chance of snow.
- Head Coach Sean McVay is emphasizing the importance of mental toughness and controlling the things that the team can control.
- The Rams are coming off a thrilling 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card Round.
Introduction to the Divisional Round
The Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears are set to face off in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday. The Rams are coming off a thrilling 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card Round, where quarterback Matthew Stafford led a game-winning drive in the final minutes of the game. As the team prepares to take on the Bears, Stafford said he has "tunnel vision" on the upcoming game, focusing on executing and blocking out distractions. As he stated, "You could have told me everyone’s still playing. I’d have believed you, so I’m just worried about our game we got in front of us you know, and I think that serves me well. I kind of live in that tunnel vision all season and it’s the best way for me… We got nothing else to think about except for the Chicago Bears."
The Wild Card Round Recap
The Rams’ win over the Panthers was a nail-biter, with the Panthers taking the lead with just over two minutes left in the game. However, Stafford led a 19-yard touchdown drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson, to give the Rams the lead. As Stafford noted, "I feel like you’re never out of the game until the clock’s over or there’s just obviously not going to be enough time, but if there’s time on the clock I feel great about it." The Rams’ victory was a testament to Stafford’s clutch gene and the team’s ability to perform under pressure. The Chicago Bears, on the other hand, also had a thrilling win in the Wild Card Round, coming back from a 21-3 deficit at halftime to defeat the Green Bay Packers 31-27. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made several impressive throws in the fourth quarter to lead his team to victory.
Preparing for the Cold Weather
As the Rams prepare to take on the Bears in Chicago, they are facing a new challenge: cold weather. The forecast is calling for temperatures around 20 degrees or lower with a chance of snow, a far cry from the 80-degree weather they are practicing in. However, Head Coach Sean McVay and his players are not letting the weather distract them. As McVay joked, "You know what we’re gonna do is, we’re gonna get in the biggest cold plunge ever and see if we can sit in that thing for three hours." The team is focusing on what they can control, and many of the players have experience playing in cold weather games. As McVay emphasized, "We talk about mental toughness all the time. And really controlling the things that we can control." This mindset will be crucial as the team takes on the Bears in the Divisional Round.
The Importance of Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is a key aspect of the Rams’ approach to the game, and it will be essential as they face the Bears. As McVay noted, "We’re better than that," referring to the team’s performance in the Wild Card Round. The Rams are looking to improve their execution and stay focused on the task at hand. With their "tunnel vision" approach, they are blocking out distractions and staying honed in on the game plan. As Stafford said, "Emotion is great… but you gotta go out there and execute." The Rams’ ability to execute and stay focused will be critical in their matchup against the Bears.
Looking Ahead to the Divisional Round
As the Rams prepare to take on the Bears, they are looking to build on their momentum from the Wild Card Round. With their "tunnel vision" approach and emphasis on mental toughness, they are ready to face whatever challenges come their way. As McVay said, "We got nothing else to think about except for the Chicago Bears." The Rams are focused on the task at hand, and they are confident in their ability to execute and come out on top. With the cold weather and tough opponent ahead of them, the Rams will need to draw on their mental toughness and experience to emerge victorious. As the team takes the field on Sunday, they will be looking to prove themselves as a formidable opponent in the Divisional Round.
https://www.thesportingtribune.com/2026/01/14/the-la-rams-prepare-for-the-chicago-bears-in-divisional-round-matchup
