Anybody still need a minute? Talk about an emotional rollercoaster from the end of regulation, through overtime, and after the final kick by Harrison Mevis. The Los Angeles Rams prevailed over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field 20-17 and are advancing to the NFC Championship Game to face the Seattle Seahawks for the right to go to Super Bowl LX.
1. Kyren Williams recovers Matthew Stafford fumble, (Rams 7 – Bears 7), 11:46 left in the 2nd Quarter
An easily forgotten about play in the first half. Stafford was sacked by Montez Sweat for -6 yards and the ball came loose with immediate uncertainty as to whether it was an incomplete pass or fumble. Kyren Williams wasted no time jumping on the loose ball. It was a good thing he did because it was in fact a fumble and the Bears could have had possession at the LA 23 yard line.
2a. Kam Curl stops Kyle Monangai for no gain on 4th down, (Rams 7 – Bears 7), 4:30 left in 2nd Quarter
In the 2nd Quarter, Los Angeles could barely do anything right. The Bears had traveled down to the Rams 32 yard line and were well within Cairo Santos field goal range. Ben Johnson opted to be aggressive and go for it, but Los Angeles got a huge play from Kam Curl on the 4th down play; stopping the Kyle Monangai at the line of scrimmage to force the turnover on downs.
2b. Darious Williams & Quentin Lake send Deandre Swift airborne, (Rams 17 – Bears 10), 3:06 left in 4th Quarter
The Rams run defense was exceptional all night outside of 1 or 2 plays. Pinned up against their endzone and needing to make a stand, they did on 3rd down with a valiant effort by Quentin Lake to limit Swift to no gain.
2c. Omar Speights breaks up 4th & Goal pass (Rams 17 – Bears 10), 3:06 left in 4th Quarter
Down 7, the Bears needed a touchdown to keep pace with Los Angeles. They ran 12 plays for 61 yards and used 5:47 of game clock to get down to the Rams 2 yard line. On 4th & Goal, Caleb Williams tried to fire a pass to Luther Burden but Omar Speights was all over the play and forced the turnover on downs with the pass breakup.
3. Kam Curl picks off Caleb Williams to set up GW drive, (Rams 17 – Bears 17), 6:47 left in Overtime
It seemed like the Rams chances of winning had run out after the botched the 4th & 4 play; surrendering a touchdown to Cole Kmet. Then to start overtime, the Rams went 3 plays & out. Then the Bears converted two first downs and looked ready to kick a field goal to send themselves to the NFC Championship. But on 2nd & 8, Caleb Williams got greedy and tried deep downfield to DJ Moore. He underthrew his WR and Kam Curl was all over the play; undercutting the WR to make the diving interception and give the Rams new hope.
4a. Davante Adams sideline catch, (Rams 17 – Bears 17), 5:51 left in Overtime
On 1st & 10 at LAR 41, Stafford fired to the left sideline for Davante Adams. Adams made a diving catch with his arms outreached and managed to keep his feet inbounds. The play put the Rams on Chicago’s side of the field and was a huge play in gaining momentum for LA’s offense.
4b. “3rd down & Puka”“, (Rams 17 – Bears 17), 4:54 left in Overtime
Facing a 3rd & 6 at the CHI 43, LA needed a play to get into field goal range. Sean McVay called a timeout with the clock just under 5 minutes. The play call: a simple pitch (Stafford) and catch (Puka Nacua). Nacua not only moved the chains, he barreled his way down to the CHI 27 with yards after the catch.
5. Harrison Mevis game winning kick, (Rams 20 – Bears 17), 3:19 left in Overtime
The Rams special teams has plagued them all season but when they needed their unit to execute to move onto the Championship round, they got it. Harrison Mevis drilled a 42 yard field goal in windy conditions to give the 5th seeded Rams the right to play for the NFC Championship Game.
If you haven’t taken a breath, you can now! Rams are moving on to the NFC Championship Game. See you next Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA.
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