In a dramatic NFL Divisional Round showdown, the Los Angeles Rams clinched a heart-stopping 20-17 overtime victory against the Chicago Bears amidst frigid conditions at Soldier Field. The win propels the Rams into the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The contest, played in temperatures dipping to -8°C (-13°C wind chill), saw the Rams’ offense struggle for much of the game. After a 10-10 halftime deadlock, running back Kyren Williams broke through with a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting Los Angeles ahead.
Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2024 number one draft pick nicknamed ‘the Iceman’ for his clutch performances, lived up to his reputation by launching a miraculous 40-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet with just 18 seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime. The Bears had set an NFL record with seven comeback victories when trailing in the final two minutes this season.
However, in the extra period, Williams threw his third interception of the game. The Rams capitalized on the turnover, with kicker Harrison Mevis securing the win with a decisive 42-yard field goal.
In the AFC, the New England Patriots continued their remarkable resurgence by defeating the Houston Texans 28-16 in snowy conditions. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who posted the league’s best completion rate (72%) during the regular season, threw three touchdown passes despite three turnovers. His fourth-quarter 32-yard deep shot to Kayshon Boutte, who made a spectacular one-handed catch, sealed the victory.
The Patriots’ dramatic turnaround from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 this season ties for the biggest single-season improvement in NFL history. They will face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game, where Maye will duel against Jarrett Stidham, who briefly succeeded Tom Brady in New England before finding success in Denver.
The winners of next Sunday’s conference championships will meet in Super Bowl 60 on February 8th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.