The Los Angeles Rams eliminated the Carolina Panthers and now are set to face the Chicago Bears in the NFC Divisional Round.
The Bears have been one of the best stories in the NFL this season with first-year head coach Ben Johnson leading them to an 11-6 record and NFC North title.
Matthew Stafford will be returning to Soldier Field for only the second time since his trade to the Rams before the 2021 season. He owns a 12-10 record against the Bears, with most of those games being played while he was still the quarterback of the Detroit Lions.
Johnson was part of the Lions coaching staff for Stafford’s final two seasons in Detroit, and he praised the 37-year-old ahead of the Rams and Bears playing on Sunday Night Football, via Dan Wiederer of The Athletic:
Ben Johnson was with Matthew Stafford in Detroit in 2019 and 2020 on Matt Patricia's staff.
Ben: "Man, I've got so much respect for that guy. You talk about the ultimate competitor. He's one of the more supremely talented throwers of the football I've ever been around in my…
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) January 12, 2026
Many coaches and footballs have raved about Stafford’s toughness, and it was on full display during the Rams’ win over the Panthers last week.
Stafford sprained his finger in the first half after hitting it on another player’s helmet, but he didn’t miss any snaps and willed L.A. to a comeback victory on the road.
Stafford underwent X-rays on his finger and they fortunately came back negative so he is expected to a full-go when the Rams take on the Bears.
Rams’ Sean McVay facing 15th different team in 15th career playoff game
The Rams advanced to the Divisional Round for the fifth time under Sean McVay, who is getting ready to coach his 15th career postseason game.
Even more remarkable is that McVay will be facing his 15th different team in the playoffs when the Rams play the Bears on Sunday Night Football.
L.A. has gone 9-5 in the postseason with McVay as head coach, defeating the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings and Panthers.
The Rams’ five losses have come against the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
McVay facing 15 different teams in 15 playoff games as Rams head coach is an astonishing feat that won’t be duplicated any time soon. However, the streak will come to an end next week if the team is able to get past the Bears.
The Rams would play either the Seahawks or 49ers, two teams they have already defeated in the postseason.
