At a Glance
- No. 5 Los Angeles Rams upset No. 2 Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime Sunday night.
- Rookie kicker Harrison Mevis drilled a 42-yard game-winner after Caleb Williams threw his third interception.
- Chicago left nine points on the board by failing on three fourth-down tries inside scoring territory.
- Why it matters: The Rams advance to face No. 1 Seattle in the NFC Championship while the Bears’ historic season ends in heartbreak.
The Los Angeles Rams flipped the script on the “Cardiac Bears,” surviving a wild momentum swing to steal a 20-17 overtime victory in the divisional round.
Chicago entered with the most game-winning drives under two minutes in NFL history (seven) and appeared poised for an eighth when Caleb Williams improbably connected with tight end Cole Kmet on fourth down to force overtime.
Los Angeles got the ball first but managed only a lackluster drive, giving the Bears another chance. Williams, however, threw his third interception of the night-this one to Kam Curl-setting up Harrison Mevis for the winning 42-yard field goal.
Winners and Losers from the Night
WINNER: Rams’ Defense
Every time Los Angeles needed a stop, it delivered.
- Chicago failed to convert three fourth downs in scoring territory, leaving nine points untouched.
- The Rams picked off Williams three times: Cobie Durant snagged two and Kam Curl secured the game-sealer in overtime.
Next up: a matchup with Sam Darnold, who is nursing an oblique injury.
LOSER: Ben Johnson, Bears
Rookie head coach Ben Johnson followed the risk-first postseason playbook popularized by Dan Campbell, but the gambles backfired.
- By eschewing field goals on three occasions, Chicago left nine points on the field.
- Had even two of those kicks been attempted and made, the Bears would have led late rather than needing last-second heroics.
Johnson’s young core showed promise, yet the margins proved costly.
WINNER: Harrison Mevis, Rams
Signed in November after never kicking in the NFL, the 245-pound 23-year-old nicknamed the “Thicker Kicker” went 12-for-13 during the regular season.
- He drilled the 42-yard walk-off, both extra points, and an earlier field goal for eight total points-just one shy of what Johnson left on the board.
- The performance boosts his confidence with stakes set to rise in Seattle.
LOSER: Caleb Williams, Bears
The dazzling fourth-down touchdown typified Williams’ dual nature: brilliant improvisation paired with crushing mistakes.
Stat line: 257 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions on 23-of-42 passing plus 40 rushing yards.
In the postseason, weaknesses get punished; Williams’ third pick ended Chicago’s season.
WINNER: Jaquan Brisker, Bears
The 2022 second-round safety balled out despite the loss.
- Game highs: 14 total tackles, eight solo.
- Added a sack, tackle for loss, QB hit, and two passes defended-three of those on consecutive plays to kill an LA drive.
Chicago has a keeper in the secondary.
Championship Sunday Schedule
| Matchup | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|
| NFC: Rams @ Seahawks | TBD | TBD |
| AFC: Broncos @ Patriots | TBD | TBD |
The Rams now prepare for cold, rainy Seattle, hoping their offense can find rhythm it lacked in Chicago’s chill.
