Bears vs. Rams live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NFL playoff game

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The NFC Championship looms on the horizon for four of football’s finest teams. The Bears and Rams enjoyed standout campaigns in 2025, with Chicago capturing its first divisional title since 2018 and Los Angeles competing for the NFC West crown until the final two weeks of the season.

Chicago secured a dramatic win over the Packers in the wild-card round, rallying from an 18-point deficit amid a slew of Caleb Williams plays. Ben Johnson’s team has embraced the comeback narrative all season, overcoming deficits six times during the regular season. Los Angeles will need to keep its foot on the gas if it pulls ahead.

Meanwhile, the Rams inched past a resilient Panthers squad. Matthew Stafford, overcoming an apparent hand injury, came alive as the game reached its crescendo. Can he pull a rabbit out of his hat once more?

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Sunday’s divisional-round matchup between the Bears and Rams. Follow below for highlights and live results as two of the NFC’s best teams compete for a spot in the conference title game.

STREAM: Watch Bears vs. Rams live with Peacock

Bears vs. Rams score

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Bears vs. Rams live updates, highlights from 2026 NFL playoff game

LARvsCHI on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/RhfvbROY93

— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2026

8:35 p.m.: The defenses — and weather — continues to flex its might in this one, with neither the Bears nor the Rams able to mount much offensive pressure across the first 10 minutes of action in the third quarter.

8:15 p.m.: We’re back in action from Soldier Field for the second half. The Rams kick off the half with the ball in their grasp.

End of second quarter: Bears 10, Rams 10

8:10 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! The Rams get one of their own! Harrison Mevis finds his mark from short-range after Los Angeles storms 66 yards down the field in a little more than a minute.

Bears 10, Rams 10

8:00 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Williams and the Bears capitalize on their late outburst, taking their first lead of the game after Cairo Santos sinks 48.

Bears 10, Rams 7

7:50 p.m.: The Bears have found a bit of life in the second quarter’s waning moments, traipsing inside Los Angeles’ 40 as we approach the two-minute warning. Can they find a score to take the lead?

7:30 p.m.: After a brief flourish, the offenses have ground to a halt in the second frame. That’s to be expected in arctic conditions, though.

7:15 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! After charging down the field courtesy of some piercing throws and solid runs, Chicago finds pay dirt. Williams looks to have shaken off his opening-drive rust, finding Moore in the flat on fourth-and-goal.

That’s one tight window 🎯

LARvsCHI on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/TRSRxCLU31

— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2026

Rams 7, Bears 7 

End of first quarter: Rams 7, Bears 0

6:58 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Los Angeles opens the scoring! Kyren Williams caps a splendid Rams drive that sees Sean McVay’s side chart 85 yards over the course of 14 plays. The Rams made gains on both the air and the ground en route to the end zone.

Kyren Williams starts the scoring in Chicago!

LARvsCHI on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/tZeXRByo4G

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

Rams 7, Bears 0

6:45 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! Williams misses his target on fourth down, instead finding Cobie Durant in the middle of the field. Curious decision by Ben Johnson to bring the offense back out on the field there. Chicago’s first drive of the contest comes up empty.

Cobie Durant picks off Caleb Williams on 4th down!

LARvsCHI on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/Tjy8gBMQ97

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

6:43 p.m.: The Bears are already up the field, having benefitted from an impressive catch and run from D.J. Moore.

6:42 p.m.: And we’re off! Chicago will start the contest with possession of the rock.

6:39 p.m.: As a reminder, the Bears and Rams are set to compete in one of the coldest games in recent league history tonight. It’s apparently so cold, Los Angeles players have stuffed cayenne pepper into their socks. The seasoning apparently helps warm up the body. We’ll see if that proves legitimate during tonight’s affair.

6:35 p.m.: National anthem up. Action will be starting from Soldier Field shortly.

6:00 p.m.: Expect the unexpected on Sunday night. Case in point: not only will the Bears’ sideline be accompanied by jugs of water and Gatorade. It will also feature chicken broth and hot chocolate for players. You can’t fault Chicago for a lack of ingenuity.

From the “never grow up” category, 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. pic.twitter.com/CHGBwYKuWa

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 18, 2026

5:30 p.m.: Chicago is out on the field ahead of tonight’s contest. Should shape up nicely for Caleb Williams and the Bears, who will get a chance to punch a ticket to their first NFC title game in 2010.

5:15 p.m.: The Bears will line Joe Thuney up at left tackle to replaced Ozzy Trapilo. Thuney hasn’t started there since Super Bowl 59, when he played in that spot for the Chiefs against the Eagles.

5:00 p.m.: Here’s a look at the inactive list for tonight’s contest for the Bears and Rams.

Inactives for #LARvsCHI: pic.twitter.com/FNboTJPvjH

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 18, 2026

Rams inactives vs. the Bears:

WR Tutu Atwell
CB Derion Kendrick
RB Jarquez Hunter
S Tanner Ingle
TE Nick Vannett
OT DJ Humphries

With Stetson Bennett as the emergency QB.

The Rams have every offensive and defensive starter healthy for this divisional game.

— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) January 18, 2026

MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:

Where to watch Bears vs. RamsBears vs. Rams start timeDate: Sunday, Jan. 18Start time: 6:30 p.m. ET, 3:30 p.m. PT

What channel is Bears vs. Rams on today?TV channel: NBCLive stream: Peacock

The Bears vs. Rams game will be aired on NBC, with Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark on the call. Cord-cutters can find the action on Peacock.

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