Yeah, they’re playing. If you’ve been scrolling through your phone wondering does the Rams play today, the answer is a massive yes. We aren’t talking about some mid-season October slog, either. This is the NFL Divisional Round.
The Los Angeles Rams are officially in Chicago right now, gearing up to face the Bears at Soldier Field. It’s a 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff. If you're on the West Coast, you better have your snacks ready by 3:30 p.m. PT.
Honestly, this game is a fascinating collision of "what was" and "what is." You’ve got Matthew Stafford, the grizzled veteran who seems to have a bionic arm at this point, going up against Caleb Williams. It’s basically the master vs. the apprentice, but in 18-degree weather with snow showers in the forecast. Typical Chicago.
Does the Rams Play Today? Game Time and TV Details
You don't want to miss the opening kickoff because these two teams have been explosive lately. NBC is handling the national broadcast. If you’ve cut the cord, Peacock is your best friend today.
- Matchup: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT
- Channel: NBC (National)
- Streaming: Peacock, NFL+, and FuboTV
- Radio: ESPN LA 710 AM or 93.1 JACK FM (for the LA locals)
The energy heading into this one is different. The Rams just scraped by the Carolina Panthers last week in a 34-31 thriller. It wasn't pretty. Stafford looked a little banged up—he’s dealing with a sprained index finger on his throwing hand—but Sean McVay says he’s "good to go." You know how Stafford is; the guy would play with a broken leg if they let him.
The Soldier Field Factor
Playing in Chicago in mid-January is basically a different sport than playing at SoFi Stadium. The Rams are used to that climate-controlled, $5 billion masterpiece in Inglewood. Today? They get "The Lake Effect."
The forecast is calling for snow showers and a wind chill that’ll make your teeth rattle. Can the Rams' high-flying offense, led by Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, still function when the ball feels like a frozen brick? That’s the $100 million question.
Actually, the Rams have been surprisingly decent in the cold under McVay, but this Bears defense is no joke. They’ve been feasting on turnovers all season. If Stafford’s finger is bothering him and he sails a couple of passes, it could be a long night for the Rams faithful.
Why This Game Matters So Much
Look, the winner of this game moves on to the NFC Championship. The stakes couldn't be higher. If the Rams win, they’ll have to travel to face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks next week.
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People keep asking does the Rams play today because, for a while there in December, it didn't look like they’d even be here. They had that rough stretch where they lost to the Falcons and Seahawks back-to-back. But they bounced back, crushed the Cardinals in Week 18, and here we are.
Key Injuries to Watch
It’s the playoffs, so everyone is hurting. But the Rams have some specific holes they’re trying to patch up:
- Matthew Stafford: As mentioned, that finger is the story. Watch his grip early in the first quarter.
- Ahkello Witherspoon: He’s on IR. Huge blow to the secondary.
- Kevin Dotson: He’s been battling through, and the Rams need him to hold that line against a fierce Bears pass rush.
The Bears aren't at full strength either. They lost T.J. Edwards to a fractured fibula just a few days ago. That’s a massive gap in the middle of their defense that Kyren Williams might be able to exploit. Williams has been a beast lately, and in this weather, the Rams might just lean on him for 25+ carries.
How to Prepare for Kickoff
If you're watching from home, make sure your streaming apps are updated. There's nothing worse than the "Peacock is updating" screen when the game is starting.
If you’re a betting person, the Rams actually opened as 3.5-point favorites. It’s interesting. Most experts seem to think the Rams' experience will outweigh the "home-field weather advantage" the Bears have. But Caleb Williams has been doing some magical things in the fourth quarter this year. He’s got that "it" factor that makes you nervous if you're a Rams fan.
Quick Survival Guide for the Game
- Check the Weather: Keep an eye on the wind speeds at Soldier Field. High winds mean fewer deep shots to Nacua and more short slants.
- Stafford’s Hand: Watch the warm-ups. If he’s shaking his hand or looks uncomfortable, the game plan might shift heavily to the run.
- The Rookie Factor: Caleb Williams is in his first real high-pressure playoff spot. How he handles the first two drives will tell you everything.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara goes through these gritty, cold-weather games. The Rams have the rings and the veteran savvy, but the Bears have the momentum and the home crowd. It’s going to be a battle.
Make sure your Peacock subscription is active and your jerseys are on. The Rams are playing today, and by 10:00 p.m. ET, we’ll know if this "all-in" season continues or if it's time to start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Sync your calendar: Set an alarm for 6:15 p.m. ET so you don't miss the Football Night in America pregame intro—it usually has some last-minute injury reveals.
- Monitor the injury report: Keep an eye on the official Rams Twitter (or "X") feed for the "Inactives" list, which drops about 90 minutes before kickoff.
- Prep your stream: If you're using Peacock, log in now to ensure you don't have password issues right at 6:30.