practice

Sean McVay, taking a cue from quarterback Matthew Stafford, will don an upper-body neoprene undergarment. Perhaps a heated vest. And his gelled hair spike will be covered with a beanie.

The Rams’ coach does not need any weather-related distractions on the field or on the sideline when his team plays the Chicago Bears on Sunday in an NFL divisional-round game at Soldier Field, where the wind-chill factor could fall below zero.

“What do you think, I’m going to dress up like the Michelin Man or something?” McVay said when queried about his planned sideline attire. “And now that I’m not being too stubborn about throwing a beanie on after my mom and my wife ripped my ass, I’ll be in good shape there too.”

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Gary Klein breaks down everything you need to know heading into the Rams’ NFC divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

The Rams are aiming for a better ending and warmer feeling than they experienced the last time they played a divisional-round game in cold weather.

Almost exactly one year ago, the Rams traveled to Philadelphia and lost to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Eagles in the snow.

The Rams could have avoided being on the road for the playoffs this year had they held onto the top seed in the NFC, but they lost three of their last six games and fell to No. 5.

So here they are again.

The Rams are coming off a 34-31 wild-card victory over the Carolina Panthers, a win that followed a familiar script: The Rams led early, allowed the opponent to get back into the game with lulls and costly errors, and then pulled out a victory.

“Are we looking for consistent execution for a full 60 [minutes]?” McVay said this week, “No doubt about it. We’re going to continue to strive for that. Maybe this week is the week.”

Stafford played 12 seasons for the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, so he is accustomed to playing in cold weather.

Stafford suffered a sprained right index finger against the Panthers but has said the finger felt “great” and he was a full participant in practices this week.

Stafford faces a Bears defense that led the NFL with 23 interceptions and recovered 10 fumbles.

Under first-year coach Ben Johnson, and with second-year quarterback Caleb Williams having made huge strides, the Bears won multiple games with comebacks, including their 31-27 divisional-round victory over the Green Bay Packers.

“You have to give them a lot of credit,” Stafford said. “They have a quarterback, a team, a coach that all believe in each other and as they should. They’ve proven it a bunch of times this year.”

The Rams are buoyed by the return of right guard Kevin Dotson, who was sidelined for three games because of an ankle injury. Dotson adds a layer of protection for Stafford to connect with receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and he could be pivotal if McVay opts to go with three tight ends and a run-heavy approach that highlights running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.

“If we throwing the ball, we running the ball, we screening the ball — it don’t matter,” Williams said. “I’m going to be ready for it. … Whether it’s a 100 mph-wind and we got to run that ball, or if it’s no wind and we’re just going to throw the ball, it don’t matter.”

The Bears rely on running back D’Andre Swift to set up a passing game that features called and off-schedule plays by Williams.

“The key to not being too cold out there on the field is to not let them sustain super-long drives,” defensive lineman Kobie Turner said. “So how about let’s get some three-and-outs and get back to the heat of the benches.”

Rams center Coleman Shelton played last season for the Bears. He experienced multiple cold-weather games. Keeping hands warm between snaps is key.

“Hand warmers, whatever you’ve got to do to keep the feel so your hands don’t go numb,” he said.

The Rams got experience in cold-weather games last season against the New York Jets and the Eagles. Players said they were not affected by the elements when action was happening on the field.

“It’s when you get TV timeouts and all that,” offensive lineman Steve Avila said. “That’s when you’re like, “Awww, this sucks.”

The Rams, however, are not complaining.

They got a good week of practice in sunny and warm weather.

If they defeat the Bears, they will advance to the NFC championship game against the winner of Saturday’s game between the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks and the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers.

“We’re playing for our lives here,” Turner said, “so it doesn’t matter if we’re playing in the middle of a parking lot, it doesn’t matter if it’s snowing or how hot it is out here at practice.

“Wherever the ball drops, we’re locked in.”

It’s still unclear exactly when Rui Hachimura will return for the Lakers after missing six games because of right calf soreness, but coach JJ Redick said the forward is trending toward playing soon.

That could be as early as Monday night when the Lakers play at the Sacramento Kings or Tuesday night when they play the Atlanta Hawks at Crypto.com Arena.

Hachimura practiced Sunday and took extra shots after the session. “He was able to do everything in practice,” Redick said.

Hachimura has been rehabbing for two weeks. He took part in a few practices and is eager to return.

Does he think he will play against the Kings?

“I think so. I think I felt good after [practice], but I got to check with the trainers and everybody and then we’ll see for tomorrow,” Hachimura said.

When he does return, Hachimura will be on a minutes restriction and will probably come off the bench, Redick said.

Hachimura said his calf has “healed,” giving him a chance to practice with the South Bay Lakers, the Lakers’ G League team.

Hachimura is averaging 12.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 27 games. He is shooting 52.1% from the field and 44.5% from three-point range,

“I’m fine,” he said. “I feel good about it.”

Hachimura is aware how calf injuries have led to more serious ailments for NBA players. Although staying healthy is a priority with free agency looming at the end of the season, Hachimura said his main concern is helping the Lakers win games.

“I think at the end of the day … I’m trying to help this team win. That’s the whole purpose of being here,” he said. “I’ve been here for four seasons now. I think I’m one of the guys that has been here the longest too, so I’m happy to be here playing with these guys. The coaches and everybody, I love these guys.

“Of course the contract and stuff is coming up. But at the end of the day I’m just trying to focus on everyday, just in the moment. … We got a second half that is coming. As a team too, but for me, I got to be ready for the playoffs.”

NBA suspends Kings guard Dennis Schroder

A day after the NBA suspended Sacramento point guard Dennis Schroder three games for confronting and attempting to strike Luka Doncic after a game on Dec. 28, Redick offered little insight into the incident.

“It’s a league matter,” Redick said. “So, I don’t really have a comment on it, to be honest with you. They made their decision. And it’s up to them.”

The league said the incident occurred approximately 40 minutes after the game when Schroder sought out Doncic in a Crypto.com Arena hallway and initiated the confrontation.

The two had been sniping at each other all game, with Doncic at one point taunting Schroder for not signing an $84-million contract with the Lakers in 2021.

After the game, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, Schroder was hiding and waiting to attack Doncic in the hallway.

Redick was asked if he was aware of what happened.

“There’s very few things I’m not aware of,” Redick said.

For his part, Schroder posted on social media, “Attempting,” with several emojis.

No. 1 Indiana booked its ticket to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Dec. 6 after defeating Ohio State 13-10 in the Big Ten championship game. With such a long gap before its New Year’s Day matchup against No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl, Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith said the Hoosiers are seeking a balance in preparing while still practicing with intensity.

“It’s all about keeping the speed of the game,” Smith said Saturday. “The biggest thing for us in the offensive line room has been going like it’s a game, every single breath, because we know that being away from the game for so long can affect that.”

The first two weeks of preparation were lighter workouts as the Hoosiers recovered from the season, tight end Riley Nowakowski said. Without knowing their opponent, the Hoosiers didn’t want to overwork older players. Instead the coaching staff gave younger players opportunities to get reps during practice.

But after Alabama punched its ticket to the Rose Bowl, the mentality changed.

“We really got into game prep and I think that’s kind of how you do it. … You start to really lock in and get back into normal game-speed stuff and game type of practices,” Nowakowski said. “I think it’s important to stay locked in mentally.”

Even with the bright lights of the Rose Bowl, Indiana offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan said the pressure will not be overwhelming.

“There might be a slight adjustment early in the game, but I feel like our guys will be ready to go and the experience within our group will help us there as well,” he said.