The Chicago Bears faced a heartbreaking conclusion to their remarkable season on Sunday night, losing 20-17 in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC divisional round at Soldier Field. The Bears appeared ready to orchestrate a historic comeback against the Rams, thanks to a stunning throw from quarterback Caleb Williams that forced the game into overtime. However, the anticipated happy ending did not materialize. In overtime, Williams threw his third interception, allowing the Rams to secure the win with a 42-yard field goal and advance to the NFC championship.
This loss marks the end of a memorable season for the Bears, who achieved significant milestones under head coach Ben Johnson in his inaugural year. They now face an offseason aimed at making improvements for the future.
Defensive Excellence
Heading into the game, a primary concern for the Bears was whether their offense could keep pace with the Rams” high-scoring attack. Surprisingly, despite the loss, the Bears” defense delivered an outstanding performance against the NFL”s most potent offense. The Rams, led by quarterback and MVP contender Matthew Stafford, had dominated in various offensive categories throughout the regular season. Nonetheless, on this night, the Bears” defense effectively stifled their efforts, forcing four three-and-outs and eight punts. Stafford completed only 47.6% of his passes, throwing for 258 yards.
“That”s part of the shame,” Johnson remarked. “Our defense played their tails off. I thought they did a great job. That”s the number one offense in football, and I thought our defensive coaching staff had a great plan.”
Caleb Williams” Performance
Williams” performance showcased both his potential and his struggles, reflecting the duality of his abilities as he completes his second season. He demonstrated remarkable playmaking skills, reminiscent of his thrilling comeback against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round. However, his three interceptions on Sunday were a first in his career, including critical errors early in the game that hampered the Bears” momentum.
Despite these mistakes, Johnson did not believe the pressure of the moment affected Williams. “I didn”t think he had any jitters,” Johnson stated. “He was the normal Caleb that I”ve grown accustomed to.”
Pressure on Stafford
The Bears succeeded in pressuring Stafford, a quarterback known for his effectiveness against blitzes. After a slow start, their defensive pressure began to disrupt Stafford”s rhythm. Chicago recorded four sacks and several quarterback hits, with contributions from players like cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker, each securing a sack.
“It was just win-or-go home,” Brisker said. “We”re at home, and I don”t want to lose. Just try to give it my all.”
Missed Opportunities
Despite their strong defensive showing, the Bears” offense failed to capitalize on several crucial opportunities to gain momentum. Their initial possession exemplified this issue, as they reached the Rams” 29-yard line but squandered a chance for a touchdown due to a dropped pass by wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Johnson noted that the Rams did not surprise the Bears in short-yardage situations, emphasizing that execution was the issue. “I think they did a good job,” right tackle Darnell Wright acknowledged. “We didn”t do a good enough job communicating what we would do to convert next time.”
As the players reflected on the disappointing end to their season, many recognized the need to appreciate their achievements. The Bears had secured their first playoff berth since 2020, along with their first NFC North title since 2018. Defensive back Jaylon Johnson expressed gratitude for the journey, stating, “When you have a season like this, you can”t let it go to waste after one season-ending loss.”
