Getty
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams are heading to the NFC title game to face the Seattle Seahawks after a 20-17 overtime win over the Chicago Bears in the divisional round on Jan. 18 at Soldier Field.
Los Angeles looked like they would be heading to face the Seahawks in regulation after putting together their best offensive drive since the opening possession to start the fourth quarter. The series ended with a five-yard run by Kyren Williams for his second touchdown, pushing the Rams ahead 17-10.
However, Bears QB Caleb Williams made a ridiculous 14-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to Cole Kmet to level the scoring 17-17 and send the game to overtime. Nonetheless, in overtime, Williams had a costly interception, his third of the game, that gave the Rams the ball back and eventually set up Harrison Mevis‘ game-winning field goal.
After the game, Rams QB Matthew Stafford spoke to reporters to share his thoughts on Williams’ interception that allowed them to get the ball back and march down for the game-winning field goal to beat the Bears.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Stafford said about the overtime interception by the Rams defense. “What an unbelievable job by our defense today, getting us the ball over and over again, whether it be fourth down stops or turnovers. They were clutching timely.”
Matthew Stafford Gives Credit to Rams’ Defense
Moreover, Stafford noted that in the playoffs, sometimes one unit needs to help the other, whether through performance or timely plays that tilt the momentum in their favor.
“That’s what it takes to win in the playoffs,” Stafford added. “Sometimes offense is going to go out and have a great day and find a way to win it. Sometimes defense is going to go out there and have a day like they did today and keep us in it for as long as they did, and then make the play at the end to get us the ball back.
“It’s a team effort. We got a resilient group. Love being a part of it. Obviously, things we can do better, but we found a way to win the football game in January and February. That’s what matters.”
Rams’ Sean McVay Talks Win Over Bears
Meanwhile, Rams head coach Sean McVay shared what he told the team heading into overtime after it appeared that Los Angeles was going to win this game in regulation until Williams’ miraculous touchdown pass.
“It was tough, but I thought what was great is, ‘Hey, we can’t do anything about it. Go on to the next play. Here we are in overtime. What happened then is done with,’” McVay said postgame. “We always talk about being in the moment, being totally and completely present… I just can’t say enough about the defense, what they did, and then for Kam Curl to be able to make that play. What a freaking catch.”
Los Angeles will now face an opponent who knows them inside and out and who they know inside and out in the Seattle Seahawks. The last time these two teams met, it was the overtime thriller in which they lost 38-37 on Dec. 18 with a ticket to the Super Bowl on the line.
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
More Heavy on Rams
Loading more stories
