The Chicago Bears have carved out quite the identity this season - not just as a playoff team, but as the NFL’s undisputed comeback kings. And now, with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line, the Bears are back at Soldier Field, ready to take on the Los Angeles Rams in what promises to be a hard-hitting, chess-match kind of Sunday.
This matchup pits two of the league’s most intriguing coaching minds against each other: Sean McVay on the Rams sideline and Ben Johnson leading the charge for Chicago. Johnson, fresh off a statement win over Matt LaFleur and the Packers, has become one of the hottest names in coaching circles - and with good reason. His offense has found ways to adapt, adjust, and explode at exactly the right moments, especially in second halves.
McVay, ever the tactician, admitted there’s been some back-and-forth with LaFleur ahead of this one. The two are close, and it’s no surprise McVay would tap into that connection to glean any insight he can.
But here’s the thing - even LaFleur may not fully understand what’s been fueling this Bears team. Because part of it, apparently, involves… chicken broth, hot cocoa, and mini marshmallows.
Yes, you read that right.
During last week’s game, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington spotted something unusual - even whimsical - on the Bears’ sideline. A setup featuring warm chicken broth, hot chocolate, and a canister of mini marshmallows sat ready for players looking to stay warm and maybe even grab a little sugar boost. It’s a scene straight out of a winter tailgate, not a playoff battlefield, but it speaks to the vibe this Bears team has embraced: gritty, resourceful, and just a little bit fun.
And hey, when you’re playing in the January chill of Soldier Field, anything that helps keep the blood pumping and the spirits high is fair game.
As of late in the second quarter, the Bears and Rams were locked in a 7-7 stalemate - a fitting scoreline for two teams that know how to grind. But if we’ve learned anything about Chicago this season, it’s that they’re never out of it. Whether it’s a second-half surge, a clutch defensive stand, or maybe just a sideline sugar rush, the Bears have a knack for finding a spark when they need it most.
One thing’s clear: if the Rams want to punch their ticket to the NFC title game, they’ll have to outlast more than just the Bears’ playbook. They’ll have to out-tough a team that’s made comebacks their calling card - one warm cup of cocoa at a time.