Bears vs. Rams Divisional Round: Brad Biggs Identifies Emotional Discipline as Primary Key to Victory
Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs has outlined the critical factors for the Chicago Bears as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round this Sunday at Soldier Field. Following a euphoric 31-27 comeback victory over the rival Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, Biggs suggests the primary challenge for the Bears is not merely tactical, but psychological.
According to Biggs, the paramount key to advancing to the NFC Championship is the team’s ability to “pack the victory in a box.” In his weekly analysis, he emphasized the danger of an emotional “letdown” after expending significant mental energy to defeat a division rival. Biggs noted that while the Bears have been adept at refocusing throughout their 11-6 regular season campaign under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the playoff atmosphere requires a different level of discipline. He highlighted the role of veteran voices in the locker room, such as backup quarterback Case Keenum, in ensuring the roster moves past the high of the Packers win to focus solely on Los Angeles.
Tactically, Biggs warns that the Bears face a significant “step up in class” opposing Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Despite reports of Stafford dealing with a lingering finger injury, Biggs argues that his experience and arm talent present a more complex threat than what the Bears secondary faced in the opening round. The veteran quarterback’s ability to manipulate defenses requires the Bears to generate pressure without compromising coverage integrity, a balance that will be tested by Rams head coach Sean McVay’s play-calling.
Background
This Sunday’s matchup marks the first postseason meeting between the two franchises since the 2020 season. The Bears, seeded No. 2 in the NFC, secured the NFC North title and are hosting a Divisional Round game for the first time in years. The No. 5 seed Rams advanced after a Wild Card victory over the Carolina Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CST at Soldier Field, where cold conditions are expected to play a factor.
Analysis and Objections
While Biggs focuses on the intangible elements of mindset and emotional management, skeptics argue that the game will ultimately be decided by the coaching disparity rather than locker room psychology. Observers note that while Ben Johnson has successfully revitalized the Bears’ offense, he is facing Sean McVay, a coach with a Super Bowl title and extensive playoff experience. There are valid concerns regarding whether the Bears’ defensive front can stifle the Rams’ run game early; if Los Angeles establishes the run, the “emotional reset” Biggs calls for may be rendered irrelevant by McVay’s play-action scheme. Furthermore, reliance on turnover margin—a staple of the Bears’ winning formula this season—may be risky against a disciplined veteran quarterback like Stafford, who historically limits mistakes in high-leverage situations compared to younger passers.
