Unbelievable wild card weekend reroutes Rams to unexpected destination

While the Los Angeles Rams have advanced to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, they are not the only team in the NFC to do so. With the San Francisco 49ers' upset victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFC West Division has placed three of the four NFC team in Round 2. And in the process, Los Angeles has a path to host the NFC Championship Game.

How?

It was not an easy victory. It wasn't a pretty win. But LA's come-from-behind victory over the Carolina Panthers earned the right to play in the divisional round. That win originally sent the Horns on a collision course with the Seattle Seahawks. However, the 49ers, another NFC West team with Super Bowl aspirations, rerouted LA to face the Chicago Bears after a win over the Eagles.

And so the NFL has set the schedule for Round 2:

Unfortunately, that upset win pushes Los Angeles on the road again, this time travelling halfway across the country to face the Bears.on Sunday, January 18, 2026. So what should fans know about the Chicago Bears, the only NFC playoff team that Los Angeles did not face this season?

What are LA Rams facing in Chicago against the Bears?

Under new head coach Ben Johnson, the Chicago Bears have blown away all expectations this year. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams has been incredibly effective this year, leading the Bears offense to land firmly among the top 10 offenses of the NFL.

Defensively? Not so much.

The Bears are infamous for creating turnovers this season. They have a net turnover differential of +22. By comparison, the Los Angeles Rams have less than half that number, at a +11. Not only are the Bears masters of creating turnovers, but they are also the best at ball security in the league.

LA's offense is strong in the passing game, and adequate in the running game. The Bears are strong in the running game, and adequate in the passing game. Still, if you watched them come back from an 18-point deficit, you know that they can score tons of points in a hurry.

Coincidentally, Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is Green Bay Packers' head coach Matt LaFleur's younger brother. So Los Angeles will have great intel on how to, and who to, stop this week.

The game will be played in bitter cold, the type of cold that freezes your breath in your throat. And if the team planned to pass its way to victory over the Bears, Mother Nature may have something to say about that.

The 14-3 Seattle Seahawks, 12-5 Los Angeles Rams, and 12-5 San Francisco 49ers all advance, and are joined by the 11-6 Chicago Bears. At least one NFC West Division team will compete in the NFC Championship Game. Los Angeles hopes to make that two teams.

As always, thanks for reading.