At a Glance
- No. 5 Los Angeles Rams defeated No. 2 Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime.
- Rookie kicker Harrison Mevis hit a 42-yard game-winner after never kicking in the NFL before this season.
- Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw three interceptions, including the decisive pick in OT.
- Why it matters: The Rams advance to face No. 1 Seattle next week, while Chicago’s historic comeback magic finally ran out.
The Los Angeles Rams flipped the postseason script, stunning the Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime Sunday night to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.
Chicago, owners of an NFL-record seven game-winning drives in the final two minutes this season, appeared poised for an eighth when Caleb Williams converted fourth-and-long with a miraculous strike to tight end Cole Kmet to force extra time. The momentum swing proved short-lived.
Overtime Turnover Ends Bears’ Season
After the Rams went three-and-out to open overtime, Williams gave the ball right back. His third interception of the night-snagged by safety Kam Curl-set up Harrison Mevis for a 42-yard dagger, sending Los Angeles to Seattle for next week’s title matchup.
The AFC final will pit the top-seeded, Bo Nix-less Denver Broncos against the No. 2 New England Patriots.
Winners and Losers from the Divisional Thriller
WINNER: Rams Defense
Los Angeles bent but refused to break. The unit stuffed Chicago on three fourth-down attempts inside scoring territory, erasing nine potential points. Cornerback Cobie Durant hauled in two interceptions, while Curl’s overtime pick sealed the upset. Next up: a banged-up Sam Darnold and the Seahawks.
LOSER: Head Coach Ben Johnson, Bears
Rookie sideline boss Ben Johnson followed the high-risk playbook popularized by Lions coach Dan Campbell, eschewing makeable field goals on three separate occasions. The decisions cost nine points-the exact margin that forced Williams’ late-game heroics and, ultimately, the overtime collapse.
WINNER: Harrison Mevis, Rams
Signed off the street in November, the 245-pound “Thicker Kicker” arrived with zero NFL experience. He went 12-for-13 during the regular season and delivered the biggest boot of his life Sunday, accounting for eight total points-just one shy of the points Chicago left on the table.
LOSER: Caleb Williams, Bears
The dazzling fourth-down touchdown pass will live on in highlight reels, but the stat line tells the harsher story: 23 of 42 for 257 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions. Williams added 40 rushing yards, yet his turnovers defined the night and ended Chicago’s season.
WINNER: Jaquan Brisker, Bears
Chicago’s 2022 second-round safety was everywhere. He logged 14 tackles (eight solo), a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and two passes defended-three of those coming on consecutive plays to kill a Rams drive. Even in defeat, Brisker showcased star-caliber playoff production.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles advances to its first NFC title game since the 2021 Super Bowl run.
- Chicago’s record-setting comeback magic evaporated when it mattered most.
- Harrison Mevis became an overnight playoff legend after never kicking in the NFL before this season.
- Caleb Williams must curb the reckless turnovers if the Bears hope to contend in 2025.
The Rams now head north to face the No. 1 Seahawks, while the Bears head home wondering what could have been.
