Rams players had unique way for battling the cold during playoff win over Bears

The NBC broadcast of Sunday's divisional-round playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears that was held at a frigid Soldier Field in Chicago noted that the Rams used cold-weather gear, chicken broth and hot cocoa to keep players warm during the contest. 

After safety Kamren Curl helped the Rams earn a gritty 20-17 overtime win over the Bears on Sunday, Curl spoke with Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated about how he and his teammates battled the elements. 

Rams players used "pretty crazy" way to stay warm vs. Bears

"There were some guys on the team pouring cayenne pepper on their feet," Curl told Breer. "That’s something I’ve never seen before. I didn’t try it this time, but they said it worked. So I’m going to think about it. But I might not do it. That was pretty crazy."

The defenses dominated much of the action on Sunday until Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams produced what may go down as the top highlight-reel moment of the playoffs late in regulation against the Rams. However, Curl later intercepted a Williams pass in Rams territory during the extra period after the defensive back recognized a play that was meant to feature Williams connecting with wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Did Rams know what Caleb Williams would attempt before key interception? 

"There was a little bit of tell — the shots they like to take, they go in a certain direction," Curl said about that pick. "We saw that on film. And when the play started, I could see what routes were developing. And I knew I had my corner backside to help me, and I was in the post, as the post safety. So I went to take the shot, he threw the ball and I made the play."

The Rams next play at the rival Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 25. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Los Angeles as a 2.5-point underdog for that matchup. 

The Rams and Seahawks went 1-1 against each other during the 2025 regular season. Seattle is coming off a dominant 41-6 thrashing of the San Francisco 49ers. 

"It’s going to be a game of the defenses like [Sunday] — both defenses were hooping [Sunday]," Curl said about the upcoming Rams-Seahawks showdown. "I feel like that’s going to be the name of the game  —whichever defense plays the best is going to win the game.”