Former NFL QB Alex Smith delivers bold prediction: “Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay might hang 50 on the Bears”

Ahead of Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears, former NFL quarterback Alex Smith turned heads with a bold prediction: Rams veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford could light up the scoreboard for 50 points against Chicago’s defense.

During an interview with reporter Kay Adams, Smith was asked to assess the matchup after a wild and entertaining Wild Card weekend.

Rams offense vs Bears defense: why Smith sees a shootout

Smith’s reasoning leaned heavily on the Rams’ powerful offense this season, and the Bears’ relative struggles on the other side of the ball.

“The Rams, Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay, might hang 50 on the Bears this weekend,” Smith said bluntly, adding, “Barring a blizzard … they’re going to put up a lot of points on that defense.”

Stafford had one of the most prolific seasons of his career in 2025, leading an offense that ranked among the league’s most productive units. He threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, earning first‑team All‑Pro honors and boosting his MVP credentials heading into the postseason. In the Rams’ Wild Card win over the Carolina Panthers, he completed 24 of 42 passes for 304 yards and three scores, all without missing a beat despite a sprained finger on his throwing hand.

According to analytics from the season, the Rams finished with the top scoring offense in the NFL, averaging just over 30 points per game, and led the league in passing yards per game.

Wide receiver Puka Nacua was a centerpiece of that attack with 129 catches for 1,715 yards and 10 TDs in the regular season, while Davante Adams also proved to be a red‑zone menace with 14 scores.

Chicago’s rise and their defensive concerns

Chicago, meanwhile, has been one of the feel‑good stories of the season. Quarterback Caleb Williams led the Bears to an 11‑6 regular‑season record and a hard‑fought 31–27 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, overcoming an 18‑point deficit in the fourth quarter and showing poise in his first postseason start.

Williams finished that game with 361 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and became the focal point of a Bears offense that finished top‑ten in points scored this season.

But the Bears’ defense, a unit that forced the league’s highest number of takeaways during the regular season, also ranked near the bottom in total yards allowed. They surrendered 361.8 yards per game and were especially vulnerable against the run.

That dichotomy caught Smith’s eye.

“I think the Bears are the weakest team in the NFC left,” he said when asked about Chicago’s defense.

Smith pointed to the mismatch between the Rams’ scoring ability and Chicago’s defensive holes, noting that Chicago’s front was nowhere near as stout as some opposing units the Rams had faced, such as Carolina earlier this season.

Weather, momentum, and analytics

The Bears will host the matchup at Soldier Field, where conditions could become a factor. Weather forecasts show the possibility of snow and colder temperatures. Oddsmakers have set the over/under near 50 points, a marker Smith seized on.

Smith conceded that momentum, something Chicago has in spades right now, can’t be fully discounted.

“I think momentum is a very real thing,” he said, acknowledging the Bears’ dramatic Wild Card comeback and the young quarterback’s confidence. “I think that is real. And again, they’re at home. That’s a big thing. But I just think that the Rams have a lot of firepower."

Whether Smith’s bold “hang 50” prediction comes true remains to be seen. But with Stafford playing at an elite level and Chicago’s defense still unpredictable, this Divisional Round matchup won’t be lacking in fireworks. The game kicks off from Soldier Field this Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET. You can follow along with our live coverage of the game right here on AS USA.

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