Everybody knows what the Chicago Bears are preparing to face. The Los Angeles Rams are the best team in the NFL. They are 10-1 with their only loss being to the second-best team in the New Orleans Saints. This is a team loaded up with star power from Todd Gurley to Aaron Donald, and Jared Goff. For a team like the Bears who aren’t used to winning yet, this could be an imposing matchup.
There are some reasons to have confidence though. The defense is great again, led by Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Kyle Fuller, and Eddie Jackson. Mitch Trubisky is set to return from his two-game hiatus as well. There is also the venue itself. The Bears are 5-1 at Soldier Field this season, one of their best home records in years.
Not only that but there’s another potential advantage headed their way: winter. It’s been a long time since the Bears played a meaningful December game at home. It’s been even longer since they got a chance to play a warm-weather opponent in cold conditions. As it turns out, they have a bit of history with it in regards to this opponent.
Chicago Bears have owned the Rams in cold weather since the 1960s
Since 1962, the Rams have visited Chicago a total of 22 times for games, both regular season and the playoffs. During that span, they’re an unimpressive 7-15. However, things really get out of hand when they’ve had to visit late in a season. Over that same timeframe, the Rams have played in a game where the temperature at kickoff was 40 degrees or lower. In those games, the Bears are a perfect 5-0.
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It gets better too. In those games, the Rams offense averaged nine points and never scored more than 14. The Bears averaged 26.6 points in those games. All but one of them were won by double digits. Suffice to say the Rams have historically not enjoyed their late-season visits to Chicago over the years. Granted this latest offense is the most talented the Bears will have faced, but the trend is upheld.
Remember one of those games was the one shown above, the 1985 NFC championship. That Rams team had Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson and a loaded offensive line. So it’s not like the Bears were just beating cupcakes every time. Still, the evidence is impossible to ignore. Forecasts have the game-time temperature on Sunday being under 30 degrees and perhaps as low as 24.
It will be cold.