Los Angeles Rams vs Chicago Bears - NFL Playoffs Divisional Round - Live Stream Radio Broadcast

Los Angeles and Chicago collide in the Divisional Round in a matchup that pits the Rams’ explosive, top‑of‑the‑league offense against a resurgent Bears team that just snapped a long playoff‑win drought and believes its physical identity can travel in January. The winner moves one step from the Super Bowl; the loser goes home wondering whether this season was a springboard or a missed window.
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Setting the stage
The Rams arrive at Soldier Field at 12–5 after surviving Carolina 34–31 on Wild Card weekend, riding an offense that led the NFL in points and finished near the top in total yardage and efficiency. They were second in a loaded NFC West and come in battle‑tested, used to high‑leverage December and January football.
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Chicago, at 11–6 and NFC North champions, punched its ticket here with an emotional Wild Card win over Green Bay that ended a 15‑year playoff‑victory drought and ignited a fan base desperate for relevance. The Bears finished as the NFC’s No. 2 seed and now get the Rams outdoors in the cold, in front of a fan base that expects defense and toughness to still matter when the calendar hits late January.
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Rams offensive blueprint
The Rams’ identity is clear: they spread you out, stay aggressive on early downs and lean into a passing attack that piled up 4,700+ yards through the air with one of the league’s best yards‑per‑attempt marks. Their overall 518 points and 6.2 yards per play underscore how frequently they stay ahead of schedule and turn simple concepts into explosives.
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The ground game is not window dressing, either; Los Angeles rushed for more than 2,100 yards at a strong 4.6 yards per carry, using zone concepts and change‑ups to keep fronts honest and unlock play‑action. Protection is the one statistical red flag, with 23 sacks allowed masking stretches where pressure has sped up the quarterback’s clock and forced more quick‑game than the staff would prefer.
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Bears path to an upset
Chicago’s formula is very different: win the line of scrimmage, squeeze possessions and trust a defense that finished near the top of the NFC in scoring and overall profile to force long fields and mistakes. The Bears’ turnaround from a 5–12 campaign two years ago to an 11–6 division champ has been driven by improved trench play and a much more competent, balanced offense.
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Offensively, Chicago wants to lean on its running game, scripted quick throws and controlled shots, using tempo changes and motion to avoid obvious drop‑back situations against an aggressive Rams front. Their Wild Card win over the Packers showcased that identity: a methodical attack that stayed patient, converted key downs and allowed the defense to close the door late.
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Key matchups and storylines
This game may hinge on whether the Bears’ pass rush can get home without committing extra bodies, because the Rams’ passing efficiency punishes one‑on‑one matchups outside if they consistently see single‑high and light zones. Chicago’s back seven has been much improved, but communication and tackling in space will be tested by the Rams’ route combinations and yards‑after‑catch threats.
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On the other side, Chicago must stay on schedule on early downs; facing third‑and‑long against a Rams defense that, while statistically middling in yards, has shown teeth in key moments and can heat up the passer, is a losing proposition. Red‑zone execution looms huge: Los Angeles wants touchdowns to leverage its scoring edge, while the Bears will happily trade long Rams drives for field goals if they can tighten in the low red area.
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Game script and what to watch
If the Rams start fast, build a lead and force Chicago to chase, this can tilt toward a higher‑scoring, uptempo game where Los Angeles’ passing game and depth of playmakers eventually break the dam. That is the script that favors the road team, neutralizing some of the Soldier Field advantage and shifting the Bears from a patient, physical profile into something more uncomfortable.
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If Chicago drags this into a possession‑by‑possession grinder—running the ball, winning field position and leaning on a raucous crowd and cold conditions—the Bears’ upset chances spike dramatically. In that world, one tipped ball, one special‑teams swing or one coverage bust could become the defining moment in a Divisional Round clash that feels like a referendum on whether elite offense or classic January defense carries more weight in this NFC bracket.
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