The Los Angeles Rams x the Chicago Bears by a score of x-x in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. This was a tough, tight content between two storied NFC teams. Both teams had plenty of chances and opportunities to put up points, but credit L.A.’s and Chicago’s defense for keeping the opposing offenses under control for much of the game.
The game began in favor of L.A. as Caleb Williams threw an interception on Chicago’s opening drive. The Rams took advantage with a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
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Bears were able to bounce back to tie the game at 7-7 before eventually taking a 10-7 lead. With the first half coming to an end, L.A. added another field goal to make the game 10-10 with quarters three and four still to go.
For Sean McVay and the Rams, it was bizarre as their defense forced stop after stop, and yet, they really weren’t able to capitalize as McVay chose to throw, throw and throw again even though Matthew Stafford was not connecting with any of his receivers with consistency.
Each team went scoreless in quarter three, so again, credit the defenses, but at least for the Rams, they appeared unable to call the right plays on offense after halftime, that trend did change some in the fourth quarter for L.A.
While the Bears basically did what they’ve done all season, and that’s stay in the game, and with Williams and Stafford showing some “fourth quarter magic” this year, it was clear this one could go either way.
The Rams retook the lead with a Kyren Williams rushing score (his second of the day) to take a 17-10 lead with around 8-minutes left in regulation as McVay seemed to rediscover that that his team had the ability to run the ball in frigid Chicago today.
The Bears responded with an impressive drive, but on a fourth and goal, L.A. held strong and forced a turnover on downs, giving the Rams the ball back, a 7-point lead and a chance to end this game with three minutes to go.
Of course, Chicago still had all their timeouts, so the game wasn’t over, but the Rams offense had a chance to end it, however they wouldn’t as the Bears would force punt and give Williams another chance to work his magic, and he would do exactly that as the Bears scored a touchdown with 18-seconds left and tied the game at 17-17, and forced overtime.
It was an incredible throw on fourth and four by Williams to will his team back into it.
When the Rams failed to do anything with their first possession in overtime, it was all on the Bears to put this game away.
The Rams instead were able to force a third interception of Williams, and now had a chance for a walk off win, if they could score.
And, despite their best efforts, the Rams won on a Harrison Mevis field goal. Game.
Rams win 20-17 and now must rest, recover and travel to Seattle for the NFC Championship game.
