For a moment, Caleb Williams looked like a superhero.
The Bears’ young quarterback forced the NFC divisional round matchup with the Rams into overtime with a miraculous throw into the end zone to erase a 17-10 deficit, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough to send Chicago to the NFC Championship game.
The Rams won 20-17 in overtime after Harrison Mevis nailed a 42-yard field goal at Soldier Field on Sunday.
Jared Verse #8 and Josaiah Stewart #10 of the Los Angeles Rams react to the 14-yard touchdown pass of Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026. Getty ImagesBut for that moment late in the fourth quarter, Williams appeared to have pulled off the improbable when his Hail Mary pass found Cole Kmet in the left corner of the end zone.
With less than 30 seconds left in the game, the Rams’ defense swarmed Williams as he retreated 30-plus yards out of the pocket, trying to buy time for a throw.
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet makes a touchdown catch in the final seconds of regulation of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. APWilliams had dropped back nearly to midfield when he sent the ball soaring into the air in a last-ditch effort and somehow connected with Kmet for what was offically a 14-yard touchdown, sending the crowd into hysteria.
“The fourth down to tie it up, ridiculous,” head coach Ben Johnson said during his postgame press conference. “That’s ridiculous. … There’s some things you just can’t coach and he’s got some of that about him. He’s got a knack, he’s clutch. He does so many good things.”
The play was another moment for Bears fans to relish during a rather impressive season under first-year coach Ben Johnson, who has helped lead Chicago to a number of surprising wins and an 11-6 record.
The Bears reached the NFC divisional round for the first time since the 2010 playoffs and won the NFC North following a season when they finished last in the division.
“It was a really fun year,” Williams told reporters after the game. “One of my most fun years of being able to play football, between the growth and the hard times and the good times. And just being able to be in the locker room with the guys we had and the guys that are going to be here. I’m excited, I’m proud of our guys.”
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams gestures as he leaves the field following his team’s overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football divisional playoff game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, APWilliams finished the game with 23 completions for 257 and two touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions during the season ending loss.
His biggest interception came during overtime as the Bears were driving and they reached the Rams’ 48-yard line.
Williams went to presumably find DJ Moore for a pass, but the two looked out of sync and safety Kam Curl picked the ball off at the 22-yard line.
The Rams would win the game on a 42-yard field goal from Harrison Mavis to book a date with the Seahawks in Seattle to try to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.
