Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams survived a stunning layup from Caleb Williams that forced overtime to beat the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Sunday night to advance to the NFC Championship game.
Harrison Mewis kicked a 42-yard field goal in overtime after Cam Curl intercepted a deep pass from Williams on the Bears’ first possession of the extra period. Stafford completed a 16-yard pass to Puka Nacua to put the Rams in field goal range and set up the 245-pound Mevis, known as the “Thiccer Kicker,” for the game-ending kick. His teammates attacked him while the crowd that had been shaking earlier watched in almost silence.
The Rams will visit NFC West rival Seattle next Sunday for their first trip to the conference championship game since the 2021 team won the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles took a 17-10 lead into the final minute and the Bears faced fourth-and-4 from the 14-yard line when Williams dropped back to avoid a pass rush and lofted the ball to Cole Kimmitt to tie the game with 18 seconds left. Although the ball was officially a 14-yard pass, it traveled 51.2 yards through the air, according to the NFL’s Next Generation Stats.
“It was crazy,” Stafford said. “It was back and forth. We didn’t play our best offense. Our defense took control of the game. It was unbelievable to watch. Jabbar played on fourth down behind Caleb to take his team to overtime. I’m glad we got the ball back.”
Williams threw for two touchdowns but was intercepted three times for the Bears, who had an improbable string of wins under first-year coach Ben Johnson but came up short this time.
Stafford was 20 of 42 for 258 yards and took four sacks. Nacua had 56 yards after gaining 111 yards in a wildcard win over Carolina, and Kyren Williams ran for 87 yards and two scores.
Williams completed 23 of 42 passes for 257 yards. Moore had a touchdown, and D’Andre Swift ran for 76 yards.