Sunday, January 18, 2026 — NFC Divisional Round
CHICAGO — In a tense and dramatic Wild Card rematch in the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs, the Los Angeles Rams edged the Chicago Bears 20–17 in overtime at Soldier Field, punching their ticket to the NFC Championship Game. The back-and-forth contest featured big defensive plays, clutch offensive moments and a game-ending kick that sent Rams fans cheering and Bears supporters heartbroken.
The game was a testament to postseason intensity, with momentum swinging multiple times before a 42-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Mevis sealed the Rams’ victory in the extra period after a pivotal defensive takeaway.
Strong Defensive Tone Early
Chicago’s opening possession ended abruptly when Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw an interception deep in Bears territory to Rams cornerback Cobie Durant, setting up the Rams’ first scoring drive. Los Angeles capitalized with a 4-yard touchdown run by running back Kyren Williams, giving them a 7–0 lead.
The Bears responded emphatically later in the second quarter. Williams engineered an 80-yard drive, finishing it with a 3-yard touchdown pass to receiver D.J. Moore that tied the game at 7–7 and swung momentum back to Chicago.
Back-and-Forth First Half
After trading punts and stalled possessions, Chicago’s special teams produced points as kicker Cairo Santos drilled a 48-yard field goal to give the Bears a 10–7 lead. The Rams answered before halftime with a 32-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis, knotting the score at 10–10 as both defenses tightened up late in the second quarter.
Fourth Quarter Drama
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams combining for just 86 yards of offense and neither side finding the end zone. That all changed in the fourth quarter when Los Angeles regained the lead. The Rams executed a 91-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from Kyren Williams, pushing the Rams ahead 17–10 and seeming to take control of the game.
Chicago refused to fold. With just 18 seconds left in regulation, Bears coach Ben Johnson and Williams pulled off a miraculous play from deep in Rams territory. On fourth-and-4 from the Los Angeles 14-yard line, Williams scrambled under pressure and delivered a remarkable **14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet that tied the game 17–17 and forced overtime. The throw, made under duress and from well behind the line of scrimmage, was lauded as one of the most improbable postseason scores of the season.
Overtime — A Defensive Turnaround
Overtime began with the Bears forcing a three-and-out on the Rams’ first possession, giving Chicago an early shot to win. However, Williams’ deep pass on the ensuing drive — intended for DJ Moore — was intercepted by Rams safety Kam Curl, turning the tide. That takeaway proved decisive, as Los Angeles moved into field-goal range with a few clutch completions, including a 16-yard pass to Puka Nacua to set up the winning kick.
Mevis’ 42-yard field goal split the uprights, ending a hard-fought battle and sending the Rams to the NFC Championship Game to face the Seattle Seahawks.
Key Performances and Takeaways
- Matthew Stafford managed the game efficiently, finishing with 258 passing yards and several key completions on the winning drive.
- Kyren Williams was instrumental on the ground with two rushing touchdowns, giving the Rams critical leads in both halves.
- Caleb Williams, despite the loss, showed his resilience and big-play ability, including an impressive fourth-quarter touchdown that forced overtime. He finished with solid passing numbers even as interceptions proved costly.
What It Means
This dramatic 20–17 overtime victory capped a thrilling playoff run by the Rams, who will now travel to face their division rival, the Seahawks, in the NFC Championship Game. Meanwhile, the Bears’ season ends with a memorable and gutsy performance that saw them nearly top a perennial contender in one of the coldest environments of the postseason.
Los Angeles’s ability to win close games and make big defensive plays continued to define their playoff identity — a resilience that could carry them deep into Super Bowl LX.