The cold in Chicago is not to be taken lightly, and the Los Angeles Rams know it well. The NFC Divisional Round brought Matthew Stafford and company to the frozen tundra of Soldier Field, but the team arrived well-prepared, and those precautions paid off against the hometown Bears.
The game to determine the second contender for the NFC Championship was played under harsh conditions: temperatures in the teens, overcast skies, light snow, and a gentle breeze.
The weather made the passing game difficult, yet both quarterbacks managed to shine. Stafford completed 20 of 42 passes for 258 yards with no touchdowns, while Caleb Williams went 23 of 42 for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Despite coming from sunny California, the Rams prevailed with a 20-17 overtime victory, thanks in large part to their cold-weather preparations.
Stafford and the Rams’ cold-weather gear
NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark revealed that the Rams traveled with “more than 2,000 pounds of cold-weather gear,” anticipating the brutal conditions at Soldier Field.
The haul included wetsuits, thermal layers, and capes. Players and staff also had access to hot chocolate and light chicken broth to help maintain body temperature.
Stark noted that Stafford and Davante Adams were no strangers to frigid climates. Stafford spent 12 seasons in Detroit, while Adams played eight years in Green Bay-both well-versed in protecting themselves against the cold.
“For Matthew, he has a scuba top under his jersey to keep his core warm,” Stark reported. “Davante has a special jersey with a handwarmer built into it,” she added.
The Rams’ cayenne pepper controversy
The most surprising revelation from Stark’s report was that some Rams players put cayenne pepper in their socks. “I’m told it brings heat and keeps the blood flowing,” she explained.
But not everyone was convinced. Users on X (formerly Twitter) quickly refuted the claim, arguing that the sensation from cayenne pepper is simply nerve irritation, offering no real benefit.
Regardless, the Rams’ unconventional methods worked well enough to secure the win. They now advance to face the Seahawks next week at Lumen Field, where conditions are expected to be far milder, with temperatures in the 40s-though forecasts could still change.
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