Rams Survive Bears in Overtime Thriller, Advance to NFC Championship

Rams win 20–17 in overtime versus Bears, securing a spot in the NFC Championship Game.

The Los Angeles Rams are heading back west and one win away from the Super Bowl after outlasting the Chicago Bears, 20-17, in a dramatic overtime victory on Sunday night.

In a game filled with momentum swings, defensive stands, and late heroics, the Rams leaned on a timely interception and a clutch field goal to escape Soldier Field and book a spot in the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Late Drama Forces Overtime

Chicago refused to go quietly. With just 18 seconds left in regulation and facing fourth down, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams delivered the play of the night scrambling backward under pressure before launching a deep fade to tight end Cole Kmet in the back of the end zone.

The touchdown tied the game at 17–17 and sent the frigid Chicago crowd into a frenzy, forcing overtime and keeping the Bears’ season alive.

One Mistake Decides the Game

The Bears’ defense did its job early in overtime, forcing the Rams into a quick three-and-out. But the opportunity slipped away moments later.

On Chicago’s next possession, Williams threw his third interception of the night a costly misread that Rams safety Kam Curl jumped for the game-changing pick. Los Angeles wasted no time capitalizing, marching 54 yards down the field.

First-year kicker Harrison Mevis calmly drilled a 42-yard walk-off field goal, sealing the Rams’ 20–17 win and ending Chicago’s playoff run.

Defensive Battle Steals the Spotlight

While the matchup featured two offensive masterminds in Rams head coach Sean McVay and Bears head coach Ben Johnson, it was the defenses that controlled much of the game.

Los Angeles forced three turnovers and consistently disrupted Chicago on key downs. The Bears’ defense also rose to the challenge, holding a Rams offense that averaged nearly 400 yards per game during the regular season to just 340 total yards.

The expected shootout never materialized, as both teams struggled to find rhythm in the cold conditions.

Rams Lean Too Late on Their Strength

The Rams entered the game as the NFL’s most efficient rushing team, yet surprisingly leaned heavily on Matthew Stafford’s arm early. Los Angeles ran the ball just seven times in the first half, gaining only 25 yards.

In the second half, the Rams adjusted, calling more run plays and finding better balance. That shift helped stabilize the offense and set the stage for the decisive overtime drive.

Stafford Struggles in the Cold

Matthew Stafford endured one of his toughest outings of the season, finishing with a sub-50% completion rate - a rarity for the veteran quarterback this year.

Playing in freezing outdoor conditions, Stafford missed open receivers, absorbed a season-high four sacks, and finished without a touchdown pass. Still, he avoided turnovers and did just enough to put the Rams in position to win.

Caleb Williams Shows Poise - and Growing Pains

Caleb Williams delivered a mixed performance in his playoff debut. He flashed brilliance with several high-difficulty throws, including the stunning touchdown to force overtime, but also made costly mistakes.

Three interceptions proved too much to overcome, particularly the final one in overtime that ended Chicago’s season.

A Costly Misstep for Chicago

The Bears’ final offensive snap will be replayed for weeks in Chicago. Veteran wide receiver DJ Moore appeared to cut his route short and failed to locate the ball, allowing Curl to jump the throw uncontested.

The lapse proved fatal, overshadowing an otherwise gritty performance by a Bears team that fought until the final seconds.

What’s Next

The Rams now turn their attention to a high-stakes NFC Championship showdown against the Seattle Seahawks, while the Bears head into the offseason encouraged by their rookie quarterback’s resilience but haunted by missed opportunities.

One team moves on. The other is left wondering how close it came.