At a Glance
- No. 5 Los Angeles Rams knocked off No. 2 Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime of their divisional-round clash.
- Rookie kicker Harrison Mevis drilled the 42-yard game-winner after Bears QB Caleb Williams threw his third interception.
- Chicago left nine points on the field by failing on three fourth-down tries inside scoring territory.
- Why it matters: The upset sends the Rams to Seattle for the NFC Championship and ends Chicago’s record-setting comeback season.
The Los Angeles Rams flipped the playoff script Sunday night, toppling the comeback-king Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime and punching their ticket to the NFC Championship Game.
How the game was won
Chicago, which owns the NFL record for game-winning drives in the final two minutes (seven), appeared poised for an eighth when Caleb Williams somehow connected with tight end Cole Kmet on fourth down to extend the contest.
Momentum swung to the Bears, but Williams gave it right back. His third interception of the night-snagged by Kam Curl-set up Harrison Mevis for a 42-yard field goal that ended the Rams’ season on the spot.
Winners
Rams’ defense
Every time Los Angeles needed a stop, it delivered. Chicago missed three fourth-down conversions in scoring territory, leaving nine points untouched.
The unit also picked off Williams three times:
- Cobie Durant – two interceptions
- Kam Curl – game-clinching pick in overtime
Next up: a matchup with Sam Darnold, who is nursing an oblique injury.
Harrison Mevis, Rams
The 23-year-old known as the “Thicker Kicker” at 245 pounds had never kicked in the NFL before this season and joined the Rams in November. He went 12-for-13 during the regular season and was perfect Sunday:
- Made both extra points
- Connected on his only other attempt
- Drilled the 42-yard overtime winner
His eight points nearly matched what Chicago left on the table.
Jaquan Brisker, Bears
The 2022 second-round safety was everywhere:
- Game-high 14 total tackles (eight solo)
- One sack, one TFL, one QB hit
- Two passes defended
Three of those plays came on consecutive snaps to kill an LA drive.
Losers
Ben Johnson, Bears
The rookie head coach followed the aggressive postseason blueprint popularized by Detroit’s Dan Campbell, but the gambles backfired. Opting to go for it on three fourth downs inside Rams territory cost his team nine likely points and forced the late-game miracle.
Johnson oversaw a promising 12-win season, yet the small margins that decide playoff games will be his next lesson.
Caleb Williams, Bears
The Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick flashed brilliance-his touchdown toss to Kmet will live on in highlight reels-but he also showcased the risk-reckless side of his game:
- 257 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions on 23-of-42 passing
- Added 40 rushing yards on five carries
With postseason margins razor-thin, the giveaways proved fatal.
Up next
The Rams travel to face No. 1 Seattle in the NFC Championship, while the AFC title game pits No. 1 Denver against No. 2 New England.
Key takeaways
- Chicago’s historic comeback magic ran into a defense that refused to break.
- Mevis’ cool leg gives LA a weapon as stakes rise.
- Williams’ gunslinger style remains a double-edged sword.
- Johnson’s aggressive calls will be dissected all offseason.
