“Bone Chilling” NFL Sees Record Breaking Condition Set To Wreck Havoc On Divisional Round Matchup (Report)

The NFL Divisional Round is expected to see some record breaking temperature.  In fact, very few games have ever seen the type of weather that is forecasted this weekend.

Here are the full details.

Brutal Record-Breaking Cold Forecast for Bears-Rams Divisional Round Clash at Soldier Field

The Chicago Bears (No. 2 NFC seed) will host the Los Angeles Rams (No. 5 seed) in a highly anticipated NFC Divisional Round matchup on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Kickoff is set for Soldier Field, and the weather forecast is turning heads as potentially one of the coldest NFL playoff games on record.

According to the AI Euro model (shared by meteorologist Noah Bergren on X), expect bone-chilling conditions:

• Air temperatures: High in the 10-15°F range during the day, dropping further at night.
• Wind chills: 0 to -10°F in the mid-afternoon, with gusts of 20-30 MPH likely.
• No major precipitation expected (unlike the inaccurate heavy snow forecast for the Bears-Packers Wild Card game), but the extreme cold and wind could create frozen turf and challenging playing conditions.

This setup could favor the Bears, who are accustomed to NFC North winters and have played in frigid games at Soldier Field (e.g., multiple sub-20°F matchups in recent seasons). The Rams, coming from California’s milder climate (and playing many home games in a dome), may struggle with grip, ball handling, and overall comfort in such extreme cold.

 QB Matthew Stafford and WR Puka Nacua have experience in cold-weather games, but the wind chill could amplify the home-field advantage for Chicago’s Caleb Williams and a defense that thrives in tough conditions.

How Extreme Cold Impacts NFL Playoffs

Historical data shows games below 20°F often feature:

• Lower-scoring affairs (reduced passing efficiency, more runs).
• Higher turnover rates (slippery balls and frozen hands).
• Advantage for cold-weather teams (Bears have a strong record in sub-freezing games at home).

The Bears’ 2025 season included several low-temperature wins, while the Rams’ road playoff history in cold climates is limited. Bettors and fantasy players are already adjusting props and totals downward due to the forecast.

This matchup pits a surging Bears team (fresh off a comeback win over the Packers) against a veteran Rams squad that escaped Carolina in the Wild Card round. The cold could make it a defensive, grind-it-out battle.