As the Chicago Bears gear up to host the Los Angeles Rams in a high-stakes NFC Divisional Round showdown, the storylines are stacking up fast. You’ve got two sharp offensive minds in Ben Johnson and Sean McVay preparing for what could be a chess match on the sidelines.
You’ve got a Bears defense that’s been flying under the radar but now faces the daunting task of slowing down one of the league’s most explosive offenses. And then, of course, there’s the weather - and it’s not just a footnote this time.
Forecasts are calling for bitter cold at Soldier Field, possibly making this one of the coldest playoff games in NFL history. That’s caught the attention of fans and analysts alike, with many assuming the frigid conditions give Chicago a clear edge.
But don’t try selling that to Bears defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
“Like I tell everybody, (the Rams) played in the snow last year in the divisional round. So I mean, we talking about weather? Whoop-de-do,” Gardner-Johnson said when asked about the supposed advantage.
And he’s not wrong to downplay it - at least from a pure toughness standpoint. He’s seen firsthand how the Rams can perform when the elements aren’t ideal.
Last season, Gardner-Johnson was part of the Eagles squad that barely escaped a snowy battle with the Rams, edging them out 28-22 in Philadelphia. That game was a reminder that this Rams team isn’t built just for the comforts of SoFi Stadium.
Still, there’s no denying the cold could be a factor - especially for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The veteran QB has had a stellar career, but cold-weather games haven’t exactly been kind to him. He’s 1-9 in outdoor games played in freezing conditions, and that’s not the kind of stat you want hanging over your head when you're walking into Soldier Field with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line.
The Bears, on the other hand, are built for this. They’ve practiced in it, played in it, and embraced it.
While weather alone doesn’t win football games, playoff football is about margins - and this might be one of them. When you’ve got a team that’s used to the cold and another that’s not, it can show up in subtle but critical ways: footing on a deep route, grip on a cold football, or just the mental edge of being in your element.
So while Gardner-Johnson is right not to hang his hat on the weather alone, it’s still a wrinkle worth watching. Because in a game where both teams are bringing elite-level talent and coaching to the table, even the wind chill might have something to say about who moves on.