The Divisional Round Playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, January 18, 2026, at Soldier Field (Chicago) became one of the most memorable games of this year’s NFL season — not only because of the dramatic events on the court, but also because of the massive viewership on television and online platforms.
New Viewership Record
According to official data from NBC Sports, this game set a new milestone for the NFL’s Divisional Playoffs, attracting an average of 45.4 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports Digital, and other digital platforms — the highest number in NBC’s history of 34 Divisional Playoffs since 1988.
Not only that, viewership steadily increased throughout the game, peaking at 52.6 million in the most dramatic final minutes.
Exciting Gameplay
The game took place in freezing weather at Soldier Field, between two high-flying teams:
The Rams led after overtime 20–17. Đội Bears đã có một số khoảnh khắc bùng nổ, bao gồm cả đường chuyền ghi điểm dài 51 yard của Caleb Williams, đưa trận đấu vào hiệp phụ. Pha bắt bóng thành công sau đó của Rams đã dẫn đến cú sút phạt ghi điểm của Harrison Mevis, qua đó ấn định chiến thắng. Diễn biến kịch tính và việc suýt lật ngược thế trận đã khiến người hâm mộ trên toàn quốc hồi hộp theo dõi, góp phần tạo nên lượng người xem khổng lồ.
The Significance of this Milestone After More Than Three Decades
The 45.4 million viewers not only broke the previous record on NBC (41.1 million from a 1994 playoff game between the Chiefs and Oilers) but also demonstrated the overwhelming appeal of the NFL playoffs to American audiences.
According to statistics, the NFL Divisional Round averaged 39.2 million viewers, the second highest ever across all television networks, surpassed only by a few national sporting events.
Wider Impact on Sports Television
More than just a single record, the viewership of the Bears-Rams game contributed to a broader statistic showing that the NFL continues to reap the largest audience in American television history, surpassing many other sporting events besides the Super Bowl.
In Chicago, the game achieved a local rating of 34.7/66, indicating that more than a third of households with TVs on watched, while Los Angeles also recorded significant ratings.
The game between the Rams and Bears was not simply a fierce playoff showdown, but a television phenomenon with a massive audience recorded across multiple platforms. The captivating gameplay, dramatic overtime, and the fervent support of the fans made this game one of the most prominent televised sports events of the 2025–26 season. In an unforgettable NFL night, the Divisional Round Playoff between the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams became the most-watched playoff game in NBC history, attracting an average of 45.4 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, and digital platforms, surpassing all previous records for the channel in 30 years.
