The "Thiccer Kicker" and the Miracle That Wasn't: Rams Outlast Bears in OT Thriller

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CHICAGO — For 59 minutes and 42 seconds on Sunday night, the Chicago Bears seemed destined to add another chapter to their storybook season of “cardiac” comebacks. But in a snowy, bone-chilling overtime at Soldier Field, experience finally trumped magic as the Los Angeles Rams secured a 20–17 victory to advance to the NFC Championship.

The win sets up an all-NFC West showdown next Sunday, as the Rams travel to Seattle to face the top-seeded Seahawks.

The Frozen Tundra Paradox

The game was a defensive slog played in sub-zero wind chills. While the high-octane Rams offense struggled to find a rhythm, their defense proved to be the unit that traveled.

The Stalemate: The teams entered halftime tied at 10–10.
The Break: After a scoreless third quarter, Kyren Williams (21 carries, 87 yards) capped a grueling 14-play drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to give L.A. a 17–10 lead with just 8:50 remaining.

Caleb’s “Rabbit Out of the Hat”

The final minute of regulation provided what will likely be the play of the 2026 postseason. Facing 4th-and-4 from the Rams’ 14-yard line with 27 seconds left, Caleb Williams was nearly buried by a Rams blitz.

Retreating nearly 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage, Williams heaved a desperate, back-foot fadeaway into the corner of the end zone. Cole Kmet snatched the ball out of the air for a touchdown—a pass that Next Gen Stats tracked at 51.2 air yards. The ensuing PAT tied the game at 17–17, sending Chicago into a frenzy.

“I thought we had them,” said Bears coach Ben Johnson. “Caleb does things you can’t coach. It felt like our night.”

The Overtime Turn

The “Cardiac Bears” momentum evaporated quickly in the extra period. After the Rams went three-and-out on the opening possession, Chicago marched to midfield. However, on a 1st-and-10 pass intended for DJ Moore, Williams threw his third interception of the night—a diving, career-defining pick by Rams safety Kam Curl.

Matthew Stafford (20-of-42, 258 yards), playing with a sprained index finger, didn’t waste the second chance. He connected with Puka Nacua for a critical 16-yard gain to move into field goal range.

The Game-Winner

The game ended on the foot of Harrison Mevis, affectionately known by fans as the “Thiccer Kicker.” Mevis split the uprights from 42 yards out, silencing the Chicago crowd and punching L.A.’s ticket to the next round.

By The Numbers

Player	Team	Notable Stats
Matthew Stafford	LAR	258 Passing Yards, 0 INT
Kyren Williams	LAR	21 Carries, 87 Yards, 2 TD
Caleb Williams	CHI	257 Passing Yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Kam Curl	LAR	1 INT (Game-clincher in OT)

Post-Game Quotes

Matthew Stafford (LAR): “Playoff football is about winning the game. I didn’t have a great rhythm today, but our defense was clutch and timely. I looked at Sean [McVay] before that last drive and we just knew.”

Caleb Williams (CHI): “In these moments you feel like you let your team down. It’s a good lesson learned… I’m excited for what’s to come, but this one is going to hurt for a while.”

NFC Championship Preview

The Rams now prepare for a rubber match against the Seattle Seahawks. The two teams split their regular-season series, with the home team winning each time.