Rams 20, Bears 17: Caleb Williams, Bears’ NFC Championship hopes intercepted, thwarted

CHICAGO – Just when you thought Caleb Williams and the Bears were out, they found another way to pull you back.

Caleb Williams somehow found Cole Kmet in the corner of the end zone with 18 seconds left to force overtime. But it was Williams’ third interception of the day that ended the Bears’ lone overtime possession.

Williams finished the day 23-for-42 passing for 257 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions and a 59.3 passer rating.

The weather didn’t help Williams’ receivers, who dropped several catchable passes throughout the game. The Bears’ leading receiver, tight end Colston Loveland, finished with 56 yards on four receptions despite being targeted 10 times.

But the story of this game was the missed opportunities. Between the drops and occasional overthrows, the Bears converted three fourth-down attempts, failing another three.

Williams was intercepted on one, while Kyle Monangai (13 carries, 39 yards) was stuffed on another. The last came with just over three minutes left, when Williams’ pass for Luther Burden III from the Rams’ 2 was deflected and fell to the ground.

Alas, an absolutely thrilling season ends with an eighth late comeback attempt that just falls short.

Tune into our final CHGO Bears Postgame of the 2025 season…

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Adam Jahns

This season was truly unbelievable. It exceeded all outside expectations of the Bears this season. But the Bears’ magic finally ran out in the divisional round against the Rams.

No one will ever forget quarterback Caleb Williams’ touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. But Williams still threw an interception in overtime. It was his third in the game – and it gave the Rams the second chance that they needed to win.

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Mark Carman

It hurts. The Bears had many chances to put some distance between themselves and the Rams. The scoring drought to start the second half lasted too long. The miracle to Cole Kmet was the best moment of the season. The defense got a stop. The Bears had their chance and Caleb forced a ball to DJ Moore that was intercepted. The improbable season came to an end in a disappointing way, mainly because it felt like a game the Bears could have won. On to 2026.

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Adam Hoge

The Bears had seven possessions with a chance to take the lead, but only scored on one of them (a field goal). If you want to include the opportunity to go for two on the last possession, it was 2-for-8. Either way, that’s not good enough. The offense spoiled a great effort from the Bears’ defense and an incredible season ended in rough fashion.

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Patrick Norton

The Bears outgained the Rams and, for the most part, kept Puka Nacua and the Rams’ weapons in check defensively, too. It just didn’t work out. Ben Johnson’s play-calling on fourth downs throughout the game could’ve been better. But it’s not the reason why the Bears lost on Sunday night. Despite the heartbreaking nature of an overtime ending, it’s still a heck of a first season for the Bears’ head coach. They’ll be back on this stage soon enough.