Rams vs. Bears Prediction & Odds: NFL Divisional Round Best Bet, Preview

I expect Chicago to prevent Matthew Stafford and Co. from covering the spread in Sunday's Divisional Round game at Soldier Field (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC), the reasons for which I outline in my Rams vs. Bears prediction. 

The Rams are the 3.5-point betting favorite despite their middling 5-5 ATS record on the road. As part of the NFL Divisional Round predictions, I believe the Bears have one more outstanding performance in their locker, and while I doubt they win, they'll make things difficult for Sean McVay's squad. 

🏈 Rams vs. Bears early prediction: NFL Divisional Round

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season. 

Bears +4.5 (-115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Make it seven fourth-quarter comebacks for Caleb Williams after he and his Bears outscored Green Bay 25-6 in the final 15 minutes.

Chicago's never-say-die persona is consistently on display, as Johnson's team has won seven of 10 games decided by five points or fewer. Two of the three defeats occurred in Weeks 1 and 18.

Ten of the Bears' 18 games were decided by five points or fewer, another example of their unsurpassed ability to keep things close. Cold weather and a raucous Soldier Field should also help the Bears' cause against the team with the second-shortest Super Bowl odds. 

📊 Rams vs. Bears odds: NFL Divisional Round

Rams vs. Bears opening odds

• Moneyline: Rams -196 | Bears +164
• Spread: Rams -3.5 (-115) | Bears +3.5 (-105)
• Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-115) | Under 50.5 (-105)

Rams vs. Bears line movement

Three of the five best sports betting sites have the spread at +/- 3.5, while bet365 offers +/- 4, and DraftKings is the outlier at +/- 4.5. If you plan on backing the Bears, lock it in at DraftKings before it aligns with the majority. 

📈 Rams vs. Bears trends & betting notes: NFL Divisional Round

• The Bears are 7-3 in games decided by 5 points or fewer, which includes their Wild Card Round win
• Including the wild-card game, the Bears are 5-2 ATS at home
• Excluding the Week 18 defeat to the Detroit Lions, the Bears previous home loss occurred in Week 1
• The Rams dropped to 5-5 ATS on the road after the wild-card win over Carolina

📺 How to watch Rams vs. Bears: NFL Divisional Round

• Date: Sunday, Jan. 18
• Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Soldier Field (Chicago)
• TV: NBC