PREVIEW – Playoffs (DIVISIONAL): Bear Weather and House Money: Five Reasons Chicago Can Upset LA Rams
After beating the Green Bay Packers 31-27 in the Wild Card round, the Bears are advancing to the Divisional round to face the LA Rams.
Led by MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford, the Rams are a force to be reckoned with.
As a result, many believe Chicago’s remarkable season is nearing its end. But I’m here to tell you otherwise. The Bears aren’t just capable of competing with the Rams; they can beat them and punch their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.
Bear Weather
As you could tell by the title, I think the weather will play a major factor in Sunday’s game, heavily favoring the Bears.
For the second week in a row, the Bears are hosting a playoff game at Soldier Field. Home-field advantage is always important in the playoffs, but it’s a little different in Chicago.
The weather forecast for the kickoff of Sunday’s game is around 20 degrees with a real-feel temperature in the negatives. Snow is expected before the game, and there’s a possibility of some wintry conditions throughout. Wind is another key factor with projected gusts between 20 and 27 miles per hour.
You might be thinking, “Well, don’t both teams have to play in the same environment?”
And you would be correct. However, the Bears are used to playing in these conditions. Kevin Byard recently said that Ben Johnson has been forcing the Bears to practice outside without heaters. Every day of practice, the Bears have experienced freezing cold, wild winds, and even some snow. The Rams, on the other hand, have not.
The weather in LA has been in the 70s to 80s this week. When the Rams step foot in Chicago, it’ll be about a 50-degree difference from what they’re used to. That’s not easy to adapt to, especially over a couple of days. The coldest game the Rams played this season was 45 degrees against the Carolina Panthers, when they almost lost. I don’t think they’ll be ready for the lake-effect snow in Chicago.
Since joining the Rams in 2021, Stafford is 1-9 in cold, rainy, or snowy conditions, according to Turf Show Times and Yahoo Sports. When the Rams played the Eagles in the playoffs last season, it was 34 degrees and snowy. The Rams lost that game 28-22, and Stafford fumbled twice.
I don’t expect the weather to be the only reason the Bears win this game, but it gives them a major advantage.
Weakness in the Secondary
The Rams have one of the most dangerous defensive fronts in the NFL. They rank 7th in total sacks and are very solid against the run. But their defense has a major weakness on the back-end.
Their starting cornerbacks are Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Cobie Durant, and Darious Williams.
And frankly, they haven’t played well this season.
- Forbes’ PFF grade: 53.8 (93/114 CBs)
- Durant’s PFF grade: 66.7 (42/114 CBs)
- Williams’ PFF grade: 66.8 (30/114 CBs)
The Panthers took advantage of the Rams’ secondary last week. Receiver Jalen Coker had 9 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, and Tetairoa McMillan had 5 receptions for 81 yards.
With DJ Moore, Luther Burden, Rome Odunze (if healthy), Colston Loveland, and Cole Kmet, I think the Bears’ offensive weapons will have a field day against the Rams. They should be able to create consistent separation, giving Caleb Williams enough room to deliver the ball.
The Rams’ defense has also given up a lot of points recently.
- 31 points to the Panthers (twice)
- 27 points to the Falcons
- 38 points to the Seahawks
- 34 points to the Lions
Since the Bears are top 10 in the NFL in points per game at around 26, I expect them to score often on this Rams defense.
Playing With House Money
As everyone knows, the Bears entered this season with a new head coach and many young players. They were expected to win around 8 or 9 games and improve from their 5-win finish a year ago.
But the Bears exceeded those expectations, winning 11 regular-season games and finishing in first place in the NFC North.
Then they won a playoff game against the Packers, one of the most significant wins in Chicago sports history.
They proved they were a good team, Caleb Williams improved drastically, and Ben Johnson looks like one of the top head coaches in the entire league.
It’s been a successful season, no matter the outcome of Sunday’s game. Some people argue every year is Super Bowl or bust, but I couldn’t disagree more. This was year one in the Ben Johnson era, and it’s been one we’ll never forget.
However, Stafford and the Rams don’t have this luxury. Having won a Super Bowl just a few seasons ago, anything short of that under Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford would be a disappointment. Stafford is also 37 years old and likely doesn’t have many years left. The Rams have to win now, and I think that’ll make them play a little more on edge than they did against Chicago.
The Bears will be playing with house money against the Rams, and that’s dangerous.
Caleb Williams
I’m a firm believer that the Bears can win every game with Caleb Williams at quarterback. When teams have star quarterbacks leading the charge, you can never count them out, no matter the circumstance.
Caleb makes plays each and every week that only Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen can replicate. His ability to make something out of nothing, to make jump-throws on the run, and fit throws into tight windows is truly spectacular. He’s one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever play the game, and I don’t think that’s too far-fetched.
And there’s a reason they call him the Iceman. It’s because he’s the most clutch quarterback in the league. Williams has led 7 4th-quarter comebacks this season when the Bears are trailing with under 2:00 to go. He stays calm under pressure and welcomes those end-of-game moments.
When the game’s on the line, there’s no one I’d rather have leading my team than 18.
Team of Destiny
While it might not go down as the most successful, this has been the most magical season in Chicago Bears history. There have been so many moments this season that I can’t even explain how they happened. It was just… destiny.
- Josh Blackwell blocked a kick to beat the Raiders: 25-24
- Jake Moody game-winning field goal against the Commanders: 25-24
- Colston Loveland 58-yard TD to beat the Bengals: 47-42
- Caleb Williams leads two TD drives in the final 4:00 to beat the Giants: 24-20
- Cairo Santos game-winning 48-yard field goal to beat the Vikings: 19-17
- Jaquan Brisker deflection on 4th down to beat the Steelers: 31-28
- Recovered an onside kick, then Caleb Williams game-tying TD to Jahdae Walker, then the 46-yard TD catch by DJ Moore to beat the Packers: 22-16
- Caleb Williams 4th and 8 magic to keep the game alive, go-ahead TD pass to DJ Moore to beat the Packers in the playoffs: 31-27
All of these miraculous moments took place this season. Maybe it’s just pure luck. Or maybe it’s because the newly elected Pope is from Chicago. I honestly don’t know.
But one thing I do know is that this Bears season has been special, and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon.
The Chicago Bears are hosting the LA Rams in a Divisional Playoff game on Sunday. A lot of people are picking the Rams to win, but I say not so fast.
I think the Bears can win because of the cold weather, the struggling Rams’ secondary, Caleb Williams, they’re playing with house money, and because they are the team of destiny.
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