Early Rams vs Bears Best Bets & Picks for Divisional Round
By Chris Wright in NFL News
Published:
- The Rams and Bears did not meet in the regular season
- Both teams rallied to win Wild Card games
- The Rams are early 3.5-point favorites
It doesn’t get much better than Matthew Stafford vs. Caleb Williams.
The Los Angeles Rams are back on the road, this time traveling to Chicago to face the Bears an NFC Divisional Round game Sunday, Jan. 18. Kickoff has not been set.
The Rams rallied past the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card round, pulling ahead to stay on Stafford’s late touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson in the final minute.
It won’t get any easier Sunday. The NFC North champion Bears also arrive fresh off an unlikely comeback. Behind Williams, the Bears erased an 18-point deficit to eliminate Green Bay and advance.
The Rams are early 3.5-point favorites. Stafford and Williams are the headliners. We analyze multiple betting angles, from spread considerations to player props, and betting trends to identify the most valuable wagers.
Rams vs Bears Predictions and Best Bets
Who do you trust more? Stafford, a future Hall of Famer and favorite to win the MVP this season? Or the talented youngster, Williams, who showed poise beyond his years in rallying the Bears against the hated Packers? Weather is expected to be an issue, a possible mix of snow and sub-20 degree temperatures mix with the omnipresent wind at Soldier Field. Ultimately, our analysis points to trusting Stafford and the Rams’ offense in the red zone. The Rams scored an NFL-best 48 touchdowns in 76 red-zone trips this season. The ability to score seven points instead of settling for risky field goals in those conditions will allow the Rams to cover the spread.
Primary Pick: Los Angeles Rams -3.5 (-115) at Bet365
The foundation of this recommendation lies in red zone execution. The Rams converted an elite 80% of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns (4-for-5) against Carolina, showcasing the type of clinical finishing that separates good offenses from great ones. Conversely, the Bears managed just 40% touchdown conversion inside the 20-yard line (2-for-5) against the Packers, leaving crucial points on the field.
Chicago’s 42.7% third-down conversion rate loses its impact when drives stall in scoring position.
SPORTSBOOK
Player Prop: Caleb Williams Over 230.5 Passing Yards (-114) via DraftKings
This line presents exceptional value considering Williams’s recent production and likely game flow. In a must-throw situation, Williams passed for 361 yards to take down the Packers. He has surpassed 240 yards in four of his past five games.
The weather and playoff intensity are a factor, but our analysis predicts that the Bears will find themselves in a situation in which Williams is asked to keep pace with Stafford, thus helping him reach the Over.
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Los Angeles Rams vs Chicago Bears Current Odds
Odds as of January 12, 2026, from consensus sportsbook data.
The betting market has established Los Angeles as clear road chalk, with the spread remaining at -3.5, though the odds for the Rams slightly shifted from an opening of -114 to the current -115. Chicago offers attractive underdog value at +166, paying $166 profit on a $100 stake. The lofty 51-point total reflects oddsmakers’ expectation for offensive fireworks between these high-powered units.
Implied win probabilities from the moneyline odds show 66.56% for the Rams and 37.59% for the Bears, indicating substantial market confidence in the road favorites.
Statistical Breakdown and Key Matchups
Can Chicago force the Rams into turnovers? That’s been the Bears’ calling card all season.
Statistics from 2025 regular season
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A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Chris Wright is an Evergreen and AI editor for Saturday Down South, Saturday Tradition, Crossing Broad, Sports Betting Dime and ESNY.