The Los Angeles Rams punched their ticket to the NFC Championship on Sunday, outlasting the Chicago Bears in an overtime thriller at Soldier Field. After the L.A. defense forced Caleb Williams into his third interception of the game on Chicago's opening possession of overtime, Matthew Stafford and the Rams marched down the field to set up Harrison Mevis' 42-yard walk-off field goal in a 20-17 victory.
For much of the afternoon, the NFC foes were locked in a stalemate. The game was tied 10-10 at halftime, both teams went scoreless in the third quarter, and each found the end zone once in the fourth to force overtime.
It initially appeared the Rams would close things out in regulation, but the Bears had one last answer. With fewer than 20 seconds remaining, Williams threw a remarkable fadeaway touchdown to Cole Kmet while being driven well behind the line of scrimmage, somehow connecting to force overtime.
In overtime, Williams briefly appeared ready to keep the superhero act going, leading the Bears down the field after Chicago's defense forced a three-and-out to open the extra period. That momentum was short-lived, however. The second-year quarterback tried to connect with DJ Moore deep down the right sideline, but the two were out of sync, allowing Kam Curl to come away with the game-altering interception.
The Rams needed 10 plays to march 54 yards down the field before Mevis split the uprights with the game-winning field goal, sending Los Angeles to the NFC Championship.
Stafford finished 20 of 42 for 258 yards, while Kyren Williams carried the ball 21 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Williams completed 23 of 42 passes for 257 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in the loss.
For more on how this game unfolded, check out our takeaways below.
One of the biggest concerns entering this game for Chicago was whether its defense could hold up after allowing Jordan Love to throw four touchdowns on Wild Card Weekend -- and now facing MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford. Even Ben Johnson seemed unsure early, aggressively pushing the envelope on fourth downs. But the Bears defense largely answered the call.
After allowing an opening-drive touchdown, here's how the Rams' next seven possessions unfolded before the fourth quarter:
You'd take that stretch every day of the week if you're Chicago. The problem? The Bears offense was nearly as quiet. During that span, Chicago managed just one field goal to keep the game tied at 10-10, while turning the ball over on downs once, throwing an interception and punting twice.
Jaquan Brisker and the rest of the Bears defense were flying around and consistently getting after Stafford, sacking him four times on the night. But without complementary scoring from the offense, those stops weren't enough.
McVay won't be adding this game to his highlight tape of coaching. The Rams head coach delivered an uncharacteristically poor performance despite coming away with a victory.
For the first chunk of the game, McVay was very unbalanced offensively and did not attack what is known to be a poor Bears run defense. That contributed to the offense going silent. In the first half, the Rams logged just seven rushing attempts against a Chicago run defense that allowed 134.5 yards per game during the regular season, the sixth-highest mark in the NFL. McVay came to his senses in the second half and overtime, totaling 24 rushing attempts. While the efficiency (3.6 yards per carry) wasn't there over that stretch, it did give the Rams a boost.
McVay also had some questionable play calling late. With 2:07 remaining in the fourth quarter and facing a third-and-10 from his own 14-yard line, McVay called a run for Kyren Williams that gained just three yards. While you could say McVay was merely trying to keep the clock running and not give the Bears more time, the clock was already going to stop at the two-minute warning. With that in mind, he would have been better served putting the ball in Stafford's hands to see if he could convert on third-and-long and help clinch the game.
Speaking of not putting the ball in Stafford's hands, McVay then ran the ball three straight times on the opening possession of overtime. Had Chicago not thrown an interception on its next possession and instead managed a game-winning field goal, the Rams would have lost a game in which Stafford, the MVP front-runner, did not attempt a single pass in overtime.
All in all, it was a wonky effort from McVay, who essentially ran it too little out of the gate and then leaned too heavily on it at key moments late. He will need to reset before the NFC Championship Game.
It wasn't an MVP game from Matthew Stafford wire to wire, but he did show up when it counted. On the game-winning drive in overtime, Stafford made one of his best throws of the season, finding Davante Adams for a 12-yard gain that moved the Rams into Bears territory. Stafford somehow fit the sideline throw into the tiniest of windows, inching them that much closer to the game-winning kick.
He also had a quick throw to Puka Nacua off of his back foot on third-and-6 to keep the drive moving.
As we said, it wasn't a vintage Stafford aerial assault in the divisional round, but he answered the bell when the moment called for it.
The Rams will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in the NFC Championship. This will be the third matchup of the season between the NFC West rivals. They split the regular-season series at a game apiece, with the most recent meeting coming in Week 16. In that game, Seattle rallied from a 16-point deficit to defeat the Rams in overtime. If this latest chapter is anything like that matchup, it will be quite the showdown, with the winner heading to Super Bowl LX.
Harrison Mevis connects 42-yard field goal, and the Rams have punched their ticket to Seattle to face the Seahawks in the NFC Championship. Meanwhile, Chicago's magical season comes to a close after a valiant comeback effort.
Sensational throw from the MVP favorite, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
And just like that, the Rams have life. Caleb Williams tries to throw it deep, and Kam Curl leaped to make the diving interception. L.A. has the ball at its 22-yard line. All the Rams need is a field goal to win.
Caleb Williams is putting the Bears on his back. Ben Johnson keeps his offense on the field on fourth-and-inches in his own territory, but it pays off. Williams sneaks it to move the chains. Gutsy call.
The Bears QB took a big hit, but keeps the chains moving.
The Chicago Bears now need just a field goal to advance to the NFC Championship. That's after the defense forced a three-and-out, which included a stop on third-and-1, tackling Blake Corum for a loss.
As a reminder, BOTH teams will have an opportunity to possess the football.
For the second time during the Divisional Round, we have OVERTIME!
They have done it again! The Chicago Bears have tied the game in the most remarkable fashion. Caleb Williams looked dead to rights on the fourth down attempt and threw up a prayer. Somehow, he found Cole Kmet for a touchdown, and the extra points tied the game at 17. We're 18 seconds away from overtime.
After a 33-yard punt, Chicago will begin at the 50-yard line. Ball bounced their way.
Chicago got their stop on third down, and the Rams will now punt the ball coming out of the two-minute warning. Ben Johnson has one timeout left in his pocket. Do Caleb Williams and Co. have another comeback up their sleeve?
On the third down attempt before the turnover on downs, Quentin Lake made a remarkable tackle on D'Andre Swift to prevent the Bears back to get into the end zone.
Chicago's fourth-and-goal attempt was unsuccessful as Caleb Williams' throw to Luther Burden III was broken up to create a turnover on downs. Huge stop by Los Angeles, who gains possession with 3:03 left to play in regulation and hold a 17-10 lead. Now is the time to hammer Kyren Williams and kill clock.
After a handful of drops throughout the course of this game, Rome Odunze redeemed himself with a toe-tapping catch on the sideline for 17 yards. Jared Verse was also flagged for a roughing the passer penalty on the play, which has Chicago at the 5-yard line.
The 26-yard run by Williams keeps the chains moving and has Chicago in Rams territory to try and tie the game back.
I disagreed with that decision by Sean McVay to keep his offense on the field for that fourth-down attempt. While it's been all the rage to go for it in the NFL these days, I would've valued a lead at this stage in the game, so a field goal would've been sufficient. However, the decision paid off as Puka Nacua converted on the fourth-and-1 rushing attempt.
One play later, Kyren Williams rushes for a 5-yard touchdown, and it's a 17-10 lead.
Adams is on the board, hauling in a 12-yard reception on second-and-10 to get the Rams in the red zone. The veteran wideout was held without a catch for the first three quarters. Adams was banged up on the play and is being checked out on the sideline.
L.A. is in Chicago territory after Stafford found Colby Parkinson for a 35-yard catch and run. A much-needed jolt for the Rams offense.
Another drive, another dominating effort by the Bears defense. After the interception by Caleb Williams and L.A. took possession at the 50-yard line, the Chicago defense answered the bell with a three-and-out on a drive that took just 23 seconds of game clock.
We're nearing the end of the third quarter, and Davante Adams is still without a catch. He's been targeted three times.
The Rams come away with a MASSIVE turnover. For the second time tonight, Cobie Durant picks off Caleb Williams, who was forcing the ball to Luther Burden III in double coverage. Rams will get the ball back at midfield.
Here are the last six drives for the Rams after the opening drive touchdown:
Chicago held the Rams to 3-of-7 on third down in the first half, and just forced another third-down stop and punt on the opening possession of the third quarter.
Los Angeles had an opportunity to take a lead thanks to a penalty that gave them a red zone opportunity right before halftime, but they were unable to punch it in. That forced the Rams to settle for a field goal, and these two clubs now enter the locker room at halftime at 10 apiece.
Impressive boot in these elements and Chicago takes a 10-7 lead with just over a minute before halftime.
Is this the 2025 Chicago Bears or the 1985 Chicago Bears? The unit has engulfed the Rams offense over the last few drives, particularly meeting Matthew Stafford in the backfield. Already, the Bears have piled up three sacks and have forced three-straight punts.
The story of this game so far has been Los Angeles' ability to make stops on fourth down. Already, the Bears have gone for it on fourth down three times, and the Rams have made stops twice. The first was an interception and now stuffed Kyle Monangai on a rush from the L.A. 32-yard line.
Brisker was the main man during that last drive for Chicago's defense. He accounted for four tackles, a sack on Stafford, and a pass breakup on Puka Nacua to force a Rams punt.
