Rams edge Bears in playoff thriller despite McVay’s frustration

The Los Angeles Rams are heading to the NFC Championship Game after a hard-fought 20-17 overtime victory against the Chicago Bears on Sunday in a divisional round playoff matchup played in brutally cold conditions at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The win marked the Rams' return to the title game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl following the 2021 season. They will face the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday, a team they split their regular season series with during the year.

Background

The Bears entered the playoffs as the NFC's second seed after winning 11 games in the regular season. It was a turnaround year for Chicago, which had not won a playoff game in 15 years before defeating the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. The team's offensive firepower centered on young quarterback Caleb Williams, who had demonstrated an ability to perform in clutch moments throughout the season.

The Rams, meanwhile, had won just 10 games but still earned a playoff spot. They were looking to prove they could compete at the highest level despite a season that included injuries and inconsistency.

Temperature at kickoff was 20 degrees with a wind chill making it feel like 7 degrees, creating the kind of brutal weather that typically favors teams with strong defensive units and disciplined execution.

Key Details

The game remained tightly contested throughout, with neither offense able to establish consistent rhythm for much of the afternoon. The Rams' offense went quiet for the first three quarters, with quarterback Matthew Stafford struggling under constant pressure from the Bears' defense.

"The Bears blitzed Stafford on 37 percent of his dropbacks," creating a relentless assault on the quarterback.

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen deployed sophisticated pressure schemes and stunts that left Stafford looking uncharacteristic. The Bears' pass rush was particularly effective, sacking Stafford four times—his most since taking five sacks from the Philadelphia Eagles in a divisional round game the previous season.

The Rams' defense, however, proved to be the difference. They forced three interceptions from Williams, the most the franchise has recorded in a playoff game since getting six against the Green Bay Packers in a 2001 divisional round matchup. Safety Kam Curl picked off Williams in overtime, a critical play that gave Los Angeles the ball at their own 22-yard line. Cornerback Cobie Durant recorded two of the other interceptions.

The Bears' defense also held up well, stopping the Rams on three of six fourth-down attempts, including a important stop near the goal line with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Williams showed his trademark fourth-quarter magic by finding tight end Cole Kmet in the corner of the north end zone for a 14-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime at 17-17. The pass capped a drive that showcased why the Bears had been competitive all season.

In overtime, however, the game turned quickly. Williams threw his third interception of the day to Curl, and the Rams moved into field goal range. Kicker Harrison Mevis delivered with a 42-yard field goal to end the game and send Los Angeles to the championship round.

Offensive Struggles and Late Execution

The Rams' offense was remarkably inefficient for most of the game. Wide receiver Davante Adams had no catches through the first three quarters—only the second time in his nine-year career he had been held without a catch through three quarters in a playoff game. He finished with just two catches for 24 yards.

Yet Los Angeles managed to put together two 14-play touchdown drives, including one on their opening possession. According to research, the Rams became the first team in the last 25 postseasons to complete a touchdown drive of at least 14 plays on their opening possession.

Stafford went 0-for-9 on play-action passes, a telling statistic about how well the Bears' defense read the offense. Still, the quarterback made the throws that mattered when the game was on the line.

Rookie Tight End's Postseason Run

Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland had an outstanding postseason performance, recording an 18-yard reception on Chicago's final drive of the fourth quarter. That catch broke the previous record for receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a single postseason, surpassing Sam LaPorta's mark from 2023. Loveland accumulated 193 receiving yards across the postseason compared to LaPorta's 176.

What This Means

The Rams will now face a Seahawks team they know well. Los Angeles won 21-19 at home in Week 11 but lost 38-37 in overtime in Week 16, so the matchup figures to be competitive.

For the Bears, the season ends in disappointment despite a successful regular season. Williams' three interceptions showed that even his talent has limits, particularly when facing a disciplined defense that forces quick decisions. The Bears' first playoff appearance in 15 years and their strong regular season may provide some consolation, but missing the championship game as the second seed will sting.

The Rams' victory demonstrated that playoff football rewards teams that execute in important moments and minimize mistakes. Their defense did exactly that, while their offense found just enough rhythm when it mattered most. The cold weather, the pressure, and the stakes all played a role in determining the outcome, but ultimately Los Angeles' ability to force turnovers and make field goals in overtime proved decisive.