Rams Secure Thrilling Overtime Victory Over Bears in NFC Divisional Playoffs
The Los Angeles Rams have advanced to the NFC championship game after a nail-biting 20-17 overtime win against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The game, played in freezing temperatures, saw the Rams overcome a late-game tie to secure their spot in the next round.
Rams coach Sean McVay, who had grown his beard to keep his face warm, praised his team’s resilience, saying “Hell of a deal right there.” The team’s strategy to stay warm seemed to pay off, with quarterback Matthew Stafford donning a neoprene undergarment and some players using cayenne pepper in their socks to keep their feet warm.
A Game of Twists and Turns
The game was marked by several twists and turns, with the Rams initially taking the lead before the Bears fought back to tie the score. The Bears’ quarterback, Caleb Williams, connected with tight end Cole Kmet for a spectacular touchdown with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Rams’ defense came up big, with Kam Curl intercepting a pass from Williams to give the Rams a chance to win the game. Stafford, who had been erratic for much of the night, led a final drive that ended with a 42-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis, securing the Rams’ victory.
Mevis, who was signed by the Rams in November, was thrilled to have made the game-winning kick, saying “That’s why they brought me in, to help this team win, and we did that.” The kick was a redemption of sorts for the Rams, who had lost a game earlier in the season due to a blocked field goal attempt.
Looking Ahead to the Next Round
The Rams will now face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game. The two teams have a history, having split their two NFC West games earlier in the season. The Rams are looking to “right their wrong” after losing to the Seahawks in overtime earlier in the season.
Stafford, who suffered a sprained right index finger in the previous game, was happy to have come out on top, saying “Playoff football is about winning the football game… I’ll take that.” The Rams will be looking to carry their momentum into the next round as they seek to advance to the Super Bowl.
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Rams running back Kyren Williams runs past Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson to score on a five-yard run in the fourth quarter Sunday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
