(Chicago) Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams survived an incredible pass from Caleb Williams that forced overtime, beating the Chicago Bears 20-17 Sunday night and advancing to the National Conference Finals.
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Harrison Mevis made a 42-yard field goal in overtime after Kam Curl intercepted a deep pass from Williams on the Bears’ first possession of overtime.
Stafford completed a 16-yard pass to Puka Nacua to put the Rams in field goal position and set up Mevis, nicknamed the “Thiccer Kicker,” for the decisive kick.
He was congratulated by his teammates while the crowd, which had been vibrating a few minutes earlier, watched the show in almost total silence.
The Rams (14-5) will face the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday, for their first appearance in an association final since their victory in the Super Bowl in 2021.
PHOTO BRIAN WESTERHOLT, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Harrison Mevis makes a field goal
The Seahawks washed out the 49ers de San Francisco 41-6 sameday.
“It was crazy,” Stafford said. The match was very close. Our offense was not at its best. Our defense dominated the game. It was incredible to see. What a play from Caleb on fourth down to send his team into overtime! I’m just happy we were able to have the ball again. »
The Rams led 17-10 in the final minute and the Bears were on fourth down and four yards to go from their own 14 when Williams dropped back to avoid defensive pressure and threw a blistering pass to Cole Kmet for the tying touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.
Although officially a 14-yard pass, the ball traveled 51.2 yards through the air, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
Williams threw two touchdown passes but had three interceptions for the Bears (12-7), who had an improbable winning streak under new head coach Ben Johnson but lost this time.
PHOTO JEFF ROBERSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kam Curl catches a pass from Caleb Williams
Stafford led a 91-yard offensive drive capped by a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown, with Kyren Williams hitting the end zone from the five-yard line to give the Rams a 17-10 lead with 8:50 remaining.
Nacua had extended the possession on the previous play with a two-yard run on fourth down with five yards to go.
The Bears then advanced to the two-yard line, but Omar Speights intercepted Williams’ pass to Luther Burden just inside the goal line.
The Bears got the ball back at midfield with less than two minutes remaining after a missed 33-yard punt by Ethan Evans, setting the stage for Williams’ heroic touchdown run.
PHOTO JEFF ROBERSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kyren Williams scores a touchdown
In overtime, the Bears won the coin toss and decided to punt. They quickly got it back, however, after the Rams were forced to punt.
The Bears regained possession at the 16 line. Williams continued the attack with a three-yard run on a fourth down near midfield. But Curl intercepted a Williams pass intended for DJ Moore two plays later.
Stafford completed 20 of 42 passes for 258 yards and had four sacks. Nacua had 56 air yards after totaling 111 in last week’s win over the Carolina Panthers, and Kyren Williams rushed for 87 yards for two touchdowns.
Caleb Williams completed 23 of 42 passes for 257 yards. Moore scored a touchdown through the air, and D’Andre Swift rushed for 76 yards.
