Playoff football means many things come January during the NFL season. There are higher stakes, raised intensity, an increased atmosphere, and, of course, postseason weather. Soldier Field will play host to the Rams as they take on the Bears on January 18; however, Los Angeles now has to prepare for much more than the literal team in Chicago.
With a projected high of 21 degrees and a 69% chance of light snow, according to AccuWeather, the West Coast Rams will need to be prepared to face a chilly Midwest environment.
Wind gusts 20-30 MPH seem likely.
Wind gusts of 20-30 MPH are expected, while the wind chill is projected to drop the temperature by an additional 10-15 degrees. Safe to say, it’ll be cold, and which team is able to handle the conditions better, will most likely comeout on top.
Matthew Stafford Has Recent Struggles In Cold Temperatures
Despite playing 12 seasons in Detroit, Matthew Stafford has struggled to close out games in the cold recently.
“Stafford is 1-9 playing in cold, rainy, or snowy conditions since joining the Rams”, according to NFL Senior News Writer Kevin Patara.
Despite the record, Patara did add some context writing, “it’s notable that while L.A. has gone 1-2 in games below 40 degrees with Stafford under center, he’s also thrown for 300-plus yards in the two losses.”
Stafford addressed his history of playing in inclement weather in talks with the media ahead of the Divisional Round matchup.
“You’ve just gotta go figure out what the elements are, and how it’s going to affect the ball and go play”, Stafford said.
Stafford answered rather nonchalantly when asked about playing in the cold in their upcoming game, stating, “It is what it is, we don’t care what the weather is here, what it is there, just go play.”
While too much stock shouldn’t be put into Stafford’s record against the cold lately, the weather’s effect on the gameplan is significant.
Weather Expected to Impact Bears’ Game Plan
GettyChicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift had 18 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears Week 15 chilly victory over the Cleveland Browns.
When the temperature decreases, the run game increases. While everything gets harder in the cold, it’s well known that throwing, catching, and tackling are particularly difficult in frigid conditions. This leads to many teams opting to rely on the run game more.
When it comes to the Chicago Bears offensive plan for Sunday NFL Senior National Reporter Stacey Dales provided insight on NFL Networks, The Insiders.
“The Rams are expecting them to run the football, and that’s what Chicago has done really well this seaosn,” Dales said. “Number three in the league in terms of those rush yards with Swift and Monangai, and yes, Caleb Williams.”
The Chicago Bears are the fourth best rushing offense this season according to Pro Football Focus, while the Rams are right behind them at fifth in their rankings. Los Angeles does have an advantage when it comes to defending the run with PFF ranking them as tied for the second best run defense to Chicago’s number 19 slot.
While the run game is one piece that will determine the out come, the pass game is the other. It’s apporpriate that heading into their coldest game of the year, Caleb Williams has been nicknamed, “The Iceman”. This nickname was more in response to the ice in his veins following his seven, fourth quarter comeback wins this season, but the moniker will need to be taken literally for the quarterback to outshine the MVP favorite this week.
Weather Forecast Expected to Play Significant Role in Bears-Rams Game