Overview
- Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. CT at Soldier Field with temperatures near 5°F, 15–25 mph winds, subzero wind chills and a chance of flurries.
- Head coach Ben Johnson has banned field heaters in practice, and safety Kevin Byard says the team feels acclimated after an earlier 8-degree home game.
- The Rams will keep their standard routine in Los Angeles and fly in Saturday rather than arriving early to adjust to the cold.
- Quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play after negative X-rays on a finger in the Wild Card, though recent rain or snow games have produced a 1–9 team record.
- Analytical models and sportsbooks rate the matchup as close, with DraftKings listing Los Angeles at -3.5 and Chicago viewed as a live home upset candidate.