Image Source: W.G. Ramirez
Key Takeaways
- The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams will face off in the NFC playoffs, with the Bears hosting the game as the No. 2 seed.
- Both teams are coming off incredible comeback victories, with the Bears defeating the Green Bay Packers 31-27 and the Rams defeating the Carolina Panthers 34-31.
- The Rams are led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for 3,300 yards and 25 touchdowns in 11 career postseason starts.
- The Bears are led by quarterback Caleb Williams, who threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns in the NFC Wildcard round.
- The game is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with the over/under set at 48 1/2.
Introduction to the Matchup
The Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams are set to face off in the NFC playoffs, with the Bears hosting the game as the No. 2 seed. As noted in the article, "We’re looking at two great teams off two incredible comeback victories, and led by two of the league’s best coaches." The Bears are coming off a thrilling 31-27 victory over the Green Bay Packers, while the Rams defeated the Carolina Panthers 34-31. Both teams will have an extra day to recuperate after their thrilling wins last Saturday, which could give them an edge in terms of preparation and rest.
Team Statistics and Trends
The Rams have been impressive this season, with a 13-5 record straight up and 12-6 against the spread. As the article states, "The Rams are 13-5 SU and 12-6 ATS this season, with 11 of their 18 games going over." They have also been successful on the road, with a 6-4 record straight up and against the spread. The Bears, on the other hand, have a 12-6 record straight up and 13-5 against the spread, with a 7-2 record at home. The over/under numbers for the Bears have been split 9-9, with three of their last four games at Soldier Field staying under.
Rams Key Players
The Rams have several key players who will be crucial to their success in the game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been impressive in the postseason, with 3,300 yards passing and 25 touchdowns in 11 career starts. As the article notes, "Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 yards passing and a career-high 46 TD passes during the regular season." Running back Kyren Williams has also been a key contributor, with 75 scrimmage yards and a touchdown catch in the Wildcard win over the Panthers. Wide receiver Puka Nacua has also been impressive, with 75 scrimmage yards and a touchdown catch in the same game.
Bears Key Players
The Bears also have several key players who will be crucial to their success. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns in the NFC Wildcard round, and has been impressive all season. As the article states, "Williams ranked sixth with a career-high 27 TD passes and seventh with a career-high and franchise-record 3,942 pass yards this past regular season." Running back D’Andre Swift has also been a key contributor, with 92 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in the Wildcard win over the Packers. Wide receiver DJ Moore has also been impressive, with 64 yards receiving and a touchdown catch in the same game.
Props to Watch
There are several props to watch in the game, including Stafford over 2 touchdowns and Williams over 230 yards passing. As the article notes, "Stafford threw three touchdowns last week, and in the regular-season finale, he threw four. He’s thrown three or more touchdowns in 10 games this season, and this, obviously, is as big as it gets in a do-or-die game." Williams has also been impressive, throwing for more than 230 yards in four of his last five games and averaging 239 yards passing in 18 games. As the article states, "Last week’s performance stretches far beyond the 361 yards and two touchdowns, as it was the poise he showed in bringing the Bears back from a 27-16 deficit with 6:36 left."
https://www.thesportingtribune.com/2026/01/15/rams-bears-preview-capsule-top-prop-players-to-watch
