CHICAGO — The Los Angeles Rams are headed to the NFC Championship game to play the Seattle Seahawks, despite what coach Sean McVay described as “some bad coaching” by them in Sunday night’s 20-17 overtime win over the Bears.
The Rams’ offense, which led the league in offensive DVOA during the regular season, struggled to get into a rhythm for most of the game, which ended when Harrison Mewis kicked a 42-yard field goal in overtime.
“Offensively, I didn’t do a very good job with our group tonight,” McVay said. “But I thought our guys could overcome it.”
After scoring a touchdown on their opening possession on a 14-play, 85-yard drive, the Rams had just 174 receiving yards at the end of the third quarter. According to ESPN research, that was their fewest receiving yards at the end of the third quarter in a game this season.
“I didn’t like the feeling of the flow of the game that I felt outside of the first series, where our guys did a great job,” McVay said. “Defensively, it kept us in that position despite how bad a job I did for our group. But like I said, I’m really thankful for this group that they were able to find a way, stick with it, and be able to overcome some of the bad coaching that I did tonight.”
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns during the regular season, completed 20 of 42 passes for 258 yards against the Bears. Stafford failed to throw a touchdown for only the second time in his playoff career, according to ESPN research. This was the first time Stafford failed to throw multiple passes in the start of a playoff game for the Rams.
“I definitely didn’t get into a great rhythm today,” Stafford said. “There’s no doubt about it. I had some opportunities in the passing game, just some things that made it difficult. Obviously I could have been better.”
“But playoff football is about winning the football game. We played great, threw a bunch of yards in the snow last year and lost, so this sucks. So, I’m glad I played a little worse today and went home with a win. So, we’ll take that.”
Stafford had 11 off-target shots on Sunday, which tied his most as a member of the Rams, according to ESPN research.
But despite the offense struggling most of the night, Stafford led the Rams to his 55th career drive in the fourth quarter or overtime, which is 11 more than the closest player has come since entering the NFL in 2009.
The victory sent the Rams to the NFC title game for the first time since Los Angeles won Super Bowl LVI during the 2021 season. The Rams will play the No. 1-ranked Seahawks, who beat the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 on Saturday night to advance.
“[We’ve] “We have to be at our best,” McVay said. “I watched that game last night. They’re firing on all cylinders. They look really good and I’m excited to be able to dive into that tape and see how we can improve.”
The Rams split the season series with Seattle, winning 21-19 at home in Week 11 and losing 38-37 in overtime in Week 16. The Rams led the Week 16 game 30-14 in the fourth quarter.
Rams wide receiver Pukka Nacua, who had five catches for 56 yards on Sunday, said it’s fitting that Los Angeles returns to Seattle next week for a chance to go to the Super Bowl.
“I think there is no way the football gods would prefer that rather than us going back there and seeing the total daddy [Cooper Kupp] “We will get a chance to correct our mistakes. So, this will be a big challenge for us, and we are excited about that,” Nakoa said.