Luck Runs Out on Mighty Bears Effort
CHICAGO – (Wire Service Report) – Rams’ FG kicker Harrison Mevis booted a game-ending 42-yard field goal with 3:19 left in overtime and Kyren Williams rushed for two touchdowns to lift the visiting Los Angeles Rams to a 20-17 victory against the Chicago Bears in an NFC divisional playoff Sunday.
The Rams advanced to face the host Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game on Jan. 25. Chicago finished a resurgent season under first-year coach Ben Johnson.
Los Angeles drove for the winning field goal after Kamren Curl intercepted Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who threw three picks, including two to Cobie Durant.
Los Angeles took a 17-10 lead on Kyren Williams’ 5-yard touchdown run with 8:50 remaining in regulation. After gaining just 89 yards on six drives following its opening possession, the Rams marched 91 yards in 14 plays. Puka Nacua’s 2-yard run on 4th-and-1 from the Chicago 5 set up the Williams score.
Chicago drove to the Los Angeles 2 on its ensuing possession but Omar Speights thwarted the threat by breaking up Caleb Williams’ fourth-down pass intended for Luther Burden with 3:03 remaining.
The Bears forced a Rams punt, which set up the latest display of Chicago’s late-game heroics. The Bears, who set an NFL record this season with seven comebacks while trailing in the final two minutes, tied the game on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Cole Kmet with 18 seconds to play. Williams released the pass from around the LA 40 amid a heavy Rams pass rush.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was 20-for-42 for 258 yards while Kyren Williams gained 87 yards on 21 carries. Nacua had five catches for 56 yards and Colby Parkinson had three receptions for 56 yards.
Caleb Williams was 23-of-42 for 257 yards and two scores. D’Andre Swift rushed 19 times for 76 yards and Colston Loveland caught four passes for 56 yards.
The teams played to a 10-all tie in the first half. Los Angeles opened the scoring when Kyren Williams rushed for a 4-yard touchdown with 6:20 remaining in the first quarter, punctuating a 14-play, 85-yard opening drive.
The Bears attempted three fourth-down conversions in the first half and capitalized on just one — a 3-yard touchdown pass from Williams to D.J. Moore on the first play of the second quarter.
Cairo Santos connected on a 48-yard field goal with 1:10 to go in the quarter to give the Bears their first lead at 10-7. Los Angeles responded with a Melvis 32-yarder on the last play of the half.
The Rams and Seahawks split a pair of regular-season meetings, with each team prevailing on its home field. Los Angeles edged visiting Seattle 21-19 in Week 11 before the Seahawks returned the favor with a 38-37 overtime victory in Week 16.
–Field Level Media