Rams Beat Bears 20-17 in OT, Reach NFC Championship
Sandy Verma January 21, 2026 05:24 PM
Rams Beat Bears 20-17 in OT, Reach NFC Championship/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Los Angeles Rams edged out the Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime to reach the NFC Championship Game. Matthew Stafford led the game-winning drive after Caleb Williams’ miraculous last-minute TD forced OT. The Rams now head to Seattle for a conference showdown, while the Bears’ magical season ends.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet, not visible, as Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart (10) and linebacker Jared Verse (8) apply pressure during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet makes a touchdown catch in the final seconds of regulation of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Rams NFC Championship Push: Quick Looks
Rams beat Bears 20-17 in overtime thriller in Chicago
Caleb Williams’ insane last-minute TD pass forces OT
Matthew Stafford leads final drive capped by 42-yard FG
Rams rookie kicker Harrison Mevis clinches win with game-winner
Kam Curl intercepts Caleb Williams in OT to set up victory
Stafford throws for 258 yards despite four sacks
Kyren Williams scores twice and rushes for 87 yards
Rams will face Seahawks next in NFC title game
Bears coach Ben Johnson opts for extra point over 2-point try
Bears finish season 12-7 after NFC North title year
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, bottom, recovers his own fumble as he is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams, front, scores a touchdown after evading a tackle by Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Deep Look: Rams Survive Caleb Williams’ Miracle to Reach NFC Title Game
CHICAGO — The Los Angeles Rams are headed back to the NFC Championship Game, and they got there by surviving one of the most electrifying moments of the NFL season.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay shared a look of confidence before engineering a final drive in overtime that sealed a 20-17 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. The win came just minutes after Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams stunned the football world with a game-tying touchdown pass that defied logic — and nearly ended the Rams’ playoff dreams.
The Rams will now face division rival Seattle for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Game of Inches and Emotions
After Bears kicker Cairo Santos tied the game with an extra point following Williams’ miracle 14-yard TD to Cole Kmetthe Rams needed to reset. The Bears had just completed a 51-yard-in-the-air touchdown on 4th-and-4 with 18 seconds leftand Soldier Field was roaring.
But Rams safety Kam Curl intercepted Williams on Chicago’s first possession of overtime, setting up the Rams’ offense. From there, Stafford calmly delivered three straight first-down passes, including a crucial 16-yarder to Puka Nacuabringing them into field-goal range.
Then came the moment. Rookie kicker Harrison “Thicker Kicker” Mevis nailed a 42-yard field goal through the snowy Chicago air — and silence fell on a stunned stadium.
Mevis was mobbed by teammates. For the Rams, it was celebration. For the Bears, heartbreak.
Stat Leaders and Game Highlights
Matthew Stafford: 20-of-42, 258 yards, sacked 4 times
DJome Moeure is: 1 TD catch, targeted on intercepted OT pass
Caleb Williams Shines Despite Loss
Despite the three interceptions, Williams showed flashes of the generational talent that made him the Bears’ top draft pick. His fourth-down, backpedaling rainbow to Kmet will be replayed for years.
The Bears were 12-7 this seasoncapturing the NFC North after finishing in the basement just a year ago. It was a strong first season for head coach Ben Johnsonwho turned the team around but stopped short of a conference title.
Johnson considered going for a game-winning 2-point conversion after the Kmet touchdown but opted for the extra point instead.
