Final Score (OT): Rams 20 Bears 17
The fever dream that was the 2025 Chicago Bears season finally reached the end of the line this week at freezing-cold Soldier Field in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. With real-feel temperatures hovering just above 0 degrees, the Los Angeles Rams were able to take down the Bears in overtime in a tightly contested matchup.
This was not your typical Bears game. Chicago actually had the advantage at halftime in most key stats, heading to the locker room tied 10-10 with the vaunted Rams. The weather played a major factor. Drops were plentiful, including a mishandled Rome Odunze endzone shot on the first drive, which the Bears would end up empty handed. MVP-frontrunner Matthew Stafford had the worst game of his phenomenal season, per PFF. This was his only game of the year without a touchdown to his name. While the Bears typically fell behind this year and were forced to make improbable comebacks, they were in this the entire way.
Anthem singer Jim Cornelison set the tone for an epic evening with a fantastic rendition as thick snowflakes filled the sky. Although the game didn’t follow the typical ’25 Bears script, we did get one final, classic, ’25 Bears moment. Down 17-10 with just 18 seconds left, the Bears were faced with a 4th-and-4. With interior pressure hitting his face immediately, Caleb Williams was forced to sprint straight backwards in the pocket for about 15 yards before turning around and heaving the ball 45 yards through the frigid air. The pass miraculously found a wide-open Cole Kmet, who hauled it in for a touchdown. In the stadium, you could have heard a pin drop while the ball was soaring through the air before the absolute pandemonium when it found Kmet’s chest. Had the Bears won the game, this may have gone down as one of the best throws in Chicago Bears history.
Ultimately, this wasn’t a devastating game in my book. This team made it far further than I ever hoped. They won the division and even got a playoff victory-against Green Bay to sweeten things even further. If this game was last week, before getting a playoff win under their belt, my sentiment would be different. It’s difficult only because the Bears truly had several chances to win this game. They were within 20 yards of setting up for a game-winning field goal attempt in overtime. Nonetheless, Bears fans and players can hold their heads high this offseason.
Glaring Issues
No Takeaways on Defense
One huge issue on paper was the lack of takeaways on defense. We all know that, this season, the Bears lived and died off of takeaways. Despite bucking all trends and beating the Packers last week without turning them over, luck ran dry this week. Although the defense played fantastically overall-to my surprise-they weren’t able to snag any interceptions or recover any fumbles. In such a tightly-contested game, just one of these momentum-swinging plays could have been enough to tip the scales in Chicago’s favor.
Have to Give Williams Some Help
Quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t get much help this week from his receivers. Admittedly, the conditions played a major role. Williams was affected too, airing the ball on several occasions in a way that I attribute to the weather. The football had to feel like a cement brick out there, which was also why the Bears had what felt like countless drops. Most notably, Rome Odunze dropped an easy touchdown ball on the Bears’ opening drive. They ended up turning the ball over on downs (a controversial decision to go for it by Ben Johnson) and scoring no points on the possession.
The usually sure-handed rookie tight end Colston Loveland-who went down with a concussion in the 4th quarter-also struggled with holding onto the football. While garnering 10 targets, only 4 catches were ultimately hauled in by Loveland. With the conditions how they were, someone needed to step up and make these tough catches.
Then, we have D.J. Moore. I’m not one to pile on, especially since there is word that the veteran wide receiver may have gotten a concussion at the end of the game, but Moore’s performance on the overtime interception play was tough to watch. With only 20 yards needed to get into field goal range, 20 yards away from the NFC Championship, D.J. ran the one of the laziest routes I’ve ever seen, which led to Williams throwing a crucial interception to a sprawling Kam Curl. Williams has evolved this season to have the ability to throw players open, and make decisions before a receiver actually “looks” open. This requires precise accuracy, timing, and trust in your receivers. To be a great QB in the NFL, you have to throw with anticipation. To throw with anticipation, you have to trust that your receivers are going to be in the right place at the right time. This was not the case on the play in question, and it led to a detrimental pick. Even if it was truly a miscommunication, the effort to knock the ball out of Curl’s arms has to be there. It’s a rough look for D.J. Moore, who was not available to speak to media.
Bright Spots
Offensive Line Shined Against Dangerous Rams Pass Rush
One bright spot out of Chicago’s final game was the performance of the offensive line. Dealing with the injury to left tackle Ozzy Trapilo last week, the Bears decided to slide left guard Joe Thuney over to left tackle and input the inexperienced Jordan McFadden at left guard. McFadden had never played a snap for Chicago, and this game marked only his third career NFL start. While jumbling up the interior line that has been fantastic (and completely unaffected by injury) all year was risky, the move worked out well. Against a Rams team that ranked 8th in sacks and 3rd in PFF pass rush grade this season, the Bears didn’t allow a single sack.
Season Expectations Were Exceeded
This isn’t specific to the game, but the loss is a lot easier to swallow when you zoom everything out. The Bears made it far further than I had ever hoped this year. My goals/hopes for the season:
- See growth out of Caleb Williams and confirm his status as franchise quarterback
- Gain confidence in Ben Johnson as an NFL head coach (there were concerns about his ability to “lead men”)
- Be flirting with a wild-card playoff spot in the final weeks of the season
Chicago passed each of these goals with flying colors. There is an inherent feeling that this was only the start. Johnson and Williams are going to be here for a long time.
Standout Performers
Kamren Curl
Sixth-year veteran free safety Kamren Curl was fantastic this week, posting the 2nd-best PFF defensive grade this week amongst all remaining players. In addition to only allowing 17 receiving yards, Curl made a season-saving sprawling interception in overtime that ended Chicago’s field goal hopes.
Kyren Williams
Despite entering the game without finding the endzone in over a month, Rams running back Kyren Williams cashed in two touchdowns (in a game that only saw four in total). Williams also racked up 87 rushing yards on 21 carries, in addition to 30 yards through the air.
Joe Thuney
Bears left guard Joe Thuney was forced to switch positions this week. With left tackle Ozzy Trapilo going down last week, Ben Johnson and the coaching staff opted to shift the first team all-pro over to tackle as his replacement. Lined up against one of the NFL’s best young pass rushers in Jared Verse, Thuney responded amazingly, allowing no sacks and holding up well. It is invaluable to have a player that can make a switch like this on one week’s notice. Thuney is an all-time player.
Key Drive of the Game
The most pivotal moment of the game came on Chicago’s OT possession. After forcing a quick L.A. 3-and-out to kick off overtime, Williams and the offense got the ball only needing a field goal to punch a ticket to Seattle for the NFC Championship Game. Despite multiple negative rushing plays for RB D’Andre Swift throughout the possession, the Bears slowly inched down the field, driving 36 yards over the course of 10 plays. Facing a huge 4th-and-1 at midfield, Ben Johnson rolled the roll and dialed up a successful QB sneak for Williams. Sitting at 2nd-and-8 with only about 20 more yards needed to get into Cairo Santos’ field goal range, Rams cornerback Camren Curl-with the help of D.J. Moore-changed the course of the game with a diving interception. This would be the final offensive play of Chicago’s season.