Image Source: Mike Masala, Rams Wire
Key Takeaways
- The Los Angeles Rams won a divisional-round matchup against the Chicago Bears with a score of 20-17 in overtime.
- Kicker Harrison Mevis made both of his field goals, including a 42-yard game-winner, and both of his extra points.
- Running back Kyren Williams rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 4.1 yards per attempt.
- Wide receiver Davante Adams was a non-factor, hauling in just two catches for 24 yards on six targets.
- Cornerback Cobie Durant had a strong performance for most of the game, but was beaten by Bears tight end Cole Kmet in the final minute of regulation.
Game Recap
The Los Angeles Rams traveled to Soldier Field on Sunday to face the Chicago Bears in a divisional-round matchup. Despite not playing their best game, the Rams secured a 20-17 win in overtime, advancing them to the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks. As Sean McVay noted, "we didn’t play our best game, but we did enough to win." The Rams’ win was a testament to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. As one analyst noted, "the Rams have been in this situation before, and they know how to come out on top."
Best and Worst Performances
The game saw several notable performances from the Rams. Kicker Harrison Mevis was a standout, making both of his field goals, including a 42-yard game-winner, and both of his extra points. Mevis now has the seventh-most playoff extra points (5) and the seventh-most playoff field goals (4) in franchise history. Running back Kyren Williams also had a strong game, rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 4.1 yards per attempt. On the other hand, wide receiver Davante Adams was a disappointment, hauling in just two catches for 24 yards on six targets. As McVay said, "we need more from Davante if we want to make it to the Super Bowl."
Coaching Decisions
Sean McVay’s gameplan was also a topic of discussion. Despite the Rams’ struggles to pass the ball against Chicago’s defense, McVay continued to dial up passes for Matthew Stafford. Stafford dropped back 46 times, completed fewer than 50% of his passes, and was sacked four times. In contrast, the running game was strong, with Williams rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns. As one analyst noted, "if the Rams had started running earlier, they could have sustained more drives." McVay’s decision to stick with the passing game was puzzling, especially given the success of the running game.
Defensive Performances
The Rams’ defense also had some notable performances. Cornerback Cobie Durant was a standout for most of the game, finishing with three passes defensed and a pair of interceptions. Durant is now tied with LeRoy Irvin for the second-most postseason interceptions in Rams history (4). However, he was beaten by Bears tight end Cole Kmet on a broken play at the end of the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime. Safety Kamren Curl also had a strong game, making several big hits and coming away with the interception in overtime that led to the game-winning field goal. As Curl said, "I just tried to make a play and help my team win."
Areas for Improvement
Despite the win, the Rams have some areas for improvement. Their pass rush was quiet against Chicago, failing to put Caleb Williams on the ground once. The second-year quarterback didn’t even look that uncomfortable, which is a concern for the Rams’ defensive front. As one analyst noted, "the Rams need to find a way to get pressure on the quarterback if they want to make it to the Super Bowl." The Rams will need to address this issue if they want to succeed in the NFC Championship Game.
Looking Ahead
The Rams’ win sets up a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. The game will be played at Lumen Field, and the Rams will need to bring their A-game if they want to advance to the Super Bowl. As McVay said, "we’re excited for the challenge and we’re looking forward to playing the Seahawks." The Rams will need to improve their passing game and get more production from Adams if they want to succeed. They will also need to find a way to get pressure on the quarterback and limit the Seahawks’ offense. With a strong gameplan and solid performances from their players, the Rams can make it to the Super Bowl and bring home the championship.
https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/01/18/rams-studs-duds-bears-divisional-round-playoffs/88248132007/