Chicago Bear-Rams playoff game: What to know as fans face subfreezing temps at Soldier Field

Chicago fans are getting ready to face the cold as the Bears take on the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field on Sunday.

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The last time the Bears and Rams met in the playoffs was 40 years ago. The Bears went on to win the Super Bowl, and fans were hoping for the same result this time.

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It’s a week filled with excitement and energy across the city, even as fans brace themselves for the cold weather.

forecast

Fans expect snow showers to start the game, with temperatures in the teens and wind chills in the single digits.

ABC7 meteorologists said the temperature will be 17 degrees at kickoff, but the wind chill will be around 8 degrees.

The frigid temperatures didn’t stop fans from coming out to show their support.

“You know what, I was going to buy a ticket. It’s $600. It’s Section 250, so we’re pretty close,” said Bears fan Mykenze Ostrom.

Fans gather on the south side of Soldier Field before playoff games.

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Ruth Moriarty and her son were among those in attendance.

ABC7 spoke with ticket agent Steve Buzil last week after they received a gift of tickets from him.

The mother and son were visiting Soldier Field to celebrate her late husband’s 40th birthday. He is an avid Bears fan.

“I think he would be very excited to have his son here. I don’t think there’s anything better than this. I’m living one of his dreams. I’m a lucky lady,” Moriarty said.

Brandon Martinez is another familiar face in the crowd. He’s now known as “The Cheese Grater Man” after this viral moment during last week’s Bears game against the Packers.

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His family brought a ram-shaped pinata to their tailgate.

“We got the ram piñata. We’re going to work on it now. We’re drinking from the horns. We’ll probably put a birria taco in there,” Martinez said.

Sure, the Bears are used to frigid conditions, but “sub-zero weather” is barely in the vocabulary of Los Angeles residents.

“They can’t play in the cold. We thrive in the cold. That’s what we do. Hang in there,” Bears fan Joey Gigliotti said.

How much the Rams will be affected by the cold remains to be seen.

Click here to see some of the coldest games the team has ever played in the playoffs.

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kick off

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm Central Time at Soldier Field, and the game will be televised on NBC.

stay warm

If you’re heading to Soldier Field for the game, here’s what you need to know:

-Battery-operated clothing is allowed; however, you may be subject to additional security checks.

– Warming centers will be located at Loop Landing (behind Section 146), on the service level beneath the southwest tunnel near the Dr Pepper Patio in the northwest colonnade (on the tiled landing at the top of the stairs to Gate 31), and on the south side of the colonnade.

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-Fans are not allowed to sit or stand with cardboard.

– Blankets are allowed at Soldier Field. The stadium said fans can take them with them or place them in approved clear bags.

The winner of Sunday’s game will head to the NFC Championship Game to face the Seahawks in Seattle.

More Soldier Field matchup coverage

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– Chicago Bears fan goes viral for being ‘cheese grater guy’ during playoff game against Green Bay Packers

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– Fans rally behind Chicago Bears for party, food specials for Rams playoff game

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