The Rams outlasted the Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime at Soldier Field, advancing to the NFC Championship Game in Seattle next Sunday amid swirling snow and 20-mph wind.
At a Glance
- Los Angeles wins 20-17 in overtime after Harrison Mevis’ 49-yard field goal
- Kyren Williams scores twice and rushes for 87 yards in brutal cold
- Cobie Durant records two interceptions; Kam Curl seals win with OT pick
- Why it matters: The Rams now stand one victory from the Super Bowl after surviving one of the coldest playoff games in franchise history
The night turned Soldier Field into a frozen snow globe. Frost glazed helmets, breath hung in the air, and every yard felt like a battle. Los Angeles answered by trucking nearly 2,000 pounds of cold-weather gear to Chicago-bone broth, cayenne, heaters, hand warmers, even wetsuits-to keep bodies moving in -5°F wind chill.
First Blood
Cornerback Cobie Durant, nicknamed “The Land Shark,” struck first. He undercut Caleb Williams’ opening-drive throw at the goal line, intercepting the rookie and wiping points off the board. The takeaway set the tone: in this cold, every mistake carried extra weight.
Matthew Stafford responded with a 14-play, 85-yard march that bled nearly seven minutes. Kyren Williams capped it with a four-yard touchdown plunge, giving Los Angeles a 7-0 lead and early control.
Chicago answered. Williams zipped a three-yard scoring pass to DJ Moore on fourth-and-goal, knotting the game at 7-7 and reminding the Rams the Bears had thrived in chaos all season.
Brutal Beauty
By halftime the score sat 10-10, fitting for a night where footing vanished and the wind knocked down passes. The third quarter passed scoreless, both defenses digging in, before the Rams finally found daylight early in the fourth.
Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse stuffed Chicago on third-and-one, forcing a punt. Sean McVay sensed the moment and dialed up a 14-play, 91-yard drive. Stafford mixed short strikes with power runs, and Williams again finished, crashing in from the one for a 17-10 lead with 8:42 left.
Miracle in the Snow
The Bears refused to fold. Facing fourth-and-four from midfield, Caleb Williams retreated 20 yards, spun off a rusher, and, while falling backward, lofted a pass into the end zone. Tight end Cole Kmet cradled it for a touchdown, tying the game with 1:28 remaining and sending Soldier Field into a frenzy.
“That was crazy,” Stafford said. “Unbelievable to watch. What a play by Caleb to get it to overtime.”
Overtime Heroics
Overtime began with both sidelines exhaling visible breaths. The Rams went three-and-out, and Chicago drove into field-goal range, converting two fourth downs. Then safety Kam Curl jumped a deep out, intercepting Williams and flipping momentum.
“We played together and trusted each other,” Curl said. “We heard noise about our secondary. We came to prove what we can do.”
Stafford immediately found Puka Nacua for 16 yards on third-and-six. Five plays later, Harrison Mevis trotted on with 0:03 on the clock. The rookie kicker drilled a 49-yard field goal through the frozen air, ending the game and igniting the Rams’ sideline.
“That’s why we play this game,” Mevis said. “If it has to come down to me, I’ll be ready.”
By the Numbers
| Stat | Rams | Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 20 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 327 | 298 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of Possession | 34:12 | 30:48 |
Key Contributions
- Kyren Williams: 87 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns on 22 carries
- Matthew Stafford: 258 yards passing, 0 interceptions
- Cobie Durant: 2 interceptions, including the game-opening pick
- Kam Curl: Game-sealing interception in overtime
McVay’s Take
“The weather was a factor for both teams,” McVay said. “I love our resilience and resolve. I’m excited to be able to get a chance to work again.”
Stafford’s Perspective
“This is playoff football. We stuck together as a team and found a way to win on the road in really tough conditions. We made the plays when we needed them. We survived and advanced.”
Up Next
The Rams travel to Seattle for the NFC Championship Game next Sunday, one victory from the Super Bowl after exorcising last year’s cold-weather demons in Philadelphia.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles wins its first outdoor January playoff game since 2019.
- The defense forces three turnovers and holds Chicago to 298 total yards.
- Special teams deliver when it matters: Mevis’ 49-yard kick ends the thriller.
- The Rams now stand 60 minutes from the Super Bowl.
