The Chicago Bears have made a habit of flipping the script this season. Time and again, they’ve clawed their way back from the brink, earning a reputation as the NFL’s undisputed comeback kings. And now, with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line, they’re looking to keep that magic alive against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday at Soldier Field.
This matchup brings some intriguing coaching dynamics into play. Rams head coach Sean McVay is squaring off against Ben Johnson, who’s fresh off a win over his good friend Matt LaFleur. McVay admitted there’s been some back-and-forth with LaFleur this week - not surprising given their close relationship - but even LaFleur may not fully grasp what’s been fueling this Bears team during their surprising playoff run.
And speaking of fuel, we might have a small clue - or at least a sideline snapshot of it.
Thanks to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, we now know the Bears are keeping things cozy on the sidelines. Darlington shared a photo showing an unexpected trio nestled near the bench: chicken broth, hot chocolate, and yes, a canister of mini marshmallows. It’s a detail that might seem trivial, but for a team playing in the biting cold of January in Chicago, every bit of warmth and energy counts.
“From the ‘never grow up’ category,” Darlington wrote, “they currently have chicken broth and hot chocolate on the Bears sideline… complete with a canister of mini marshmallows for that in-game sugar craving.”
It’s a lighthearted moment in what’s otherwise a high-stakes battle. At the time of the report, the Bears and Rams were locked in a 7-7 tie late in the second quarter - a fittingly tight contest between two teams that have shown they can scrap and adjust on the fly.
Whether it’s the play-calling, the locker room culture, or just a little sideline comfort food, something is clearly clicking for Chicago. And if they can keep their late-game magic going, they might just find themselves one win away from the Super Bowl.