Alex Smith predicts a blowout, but Matthew Stafford's cold-weather struggles and recent injury offer the Bears a fighting chance.
As if the Chicago Bears needed a reason to get amped up about Sunday's game with the Los Angeles Rams, multiple NFL personalities have them some.
The Bears had extra motivation to beat the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round because the two are bitter rivals. Chicago was down 21-6 in the fourth quarter, then came all the way back to win 31-27.
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith gave Chicago another reason to come into the Divisional Round with some purpose. Smith played quarterback in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers (2005-2012), the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-17), and the Washington Commanders (2018-20).
He joined a recent edition of "Up and Adams," predicting that the Rams would "Hang 50" on the Bears.
"I think the Bears are the weakest team in the NFC, left, right?" Smith said. "Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay might hang 50 on the Bears this weekend. Barring a blizzard, right? Or 40. They're gonna put up a lot of points on that defense."
Smith isn't the only one doubting the Bears, as the crew of ESPN's "Get Up" had some thoughts on the matchup.
Dan Orlovsky, Rex Ryan and Adam Schefter all believed the Rams would win on Sunday.
"First one to 50," Orlovsky said. "I mean, neither defense is playing good. ...I think the Rams. I think we're going to have a fun game."
Schefter thought there would be a personal aspect to the game with the Rams' offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
"We get for a second straight week LaFleur and Ben Johnson, but this time it's Mike LaFleur, the Rams offensive coordinator, after Matt LaFleur got embarrassed, got beat out there," Schefter said. "I'm telling you it's going to mean something to Michael and the Rams organization this weekend."
Rex Ryan agreed with Smith's sentiment and thought the Rams would score 50 points on the Bears.
"I do think they'll hang 50 up on them," Ryan said. "I think the Rams will."
While it's true that the Bears' defense has struggled at times, Matthew Stafford has historically struggled in the cold throughout his career.
Stafford is 1-9 in cold-weather games and also has an injury that is coming with him into the game. The veteran quarterback injured his index finger in the 34-31 win over the Carolina Panthers this past weekend. Stafford has thrown 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in those instances in his career.
Rams' head coach Sean McVay noted that it's a sprain in his finger. If Stafford plays, he may not be at 100% for the matchup.
"Yeah, he's just got a little sprain on his index finger," McVay said. "Um, you guys saw, you know, kind of hit the helmet. Um, he's as tough as it gets, but he's feeling good. Had a little, you know, sprain on his finger. I don't want to say little, but he had a sprain on the index finger, but he was able to push through it. He's as tough as it gets, and we'll be good to go."
Teams have learned time and time again not to write off the Bears too early this season. The Packers are the most recent victim.
Can the Rams really score 50 points on the Bears? We'll have to wait and see on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC.