Jan 19, 2026
3 min read
The Chicago Bears forced overtime against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, but failed to complete another miraculous turnaround, ending their season in the divisional round.
The magic was over for the 2025 Chicago Bears.
Ben Johnson's team nearly pulled off another stunning comeback when Caleb Williams scored his fourth point with 18 seconds left to send the game into overtime.However, Williams' third interception cost the Bears, who watched the Los Angeles Rams field goal for a 20-17 overtime victory at Soldier Field.
Seven times during the season, the Bears pulled a rabbit out of the hat, turning into a witch that could turn into a winner.Close wins saved Johnson's men, and they had a chance to steal another victory, but several missed opportunities will drive Chicago into the offseason.
"It was a disappointment. It was a fire," Williams said Sunday night about his feelings inside after the season ended."These are the two words I want to go. I'm excited too. Still unhappy with the result. Disappointed with the result. But it 's gone and I can not change it. I will go back and see how I can be better for the near future and help this organization get where we want to go."
The Bears got down early, allowing LA to drive down the field to open the drive.As it has all season, Chicago countered, with MVP candidate Matthew Stafford going 20-of-42 for 258 yards with four sacks and zero fumbles.The Bears' defense stifled Los Angeles' receivers, with no Ram producing more than 56 receiving yards.
Trailing 17-10 with 1:50 remaining, Williams led a seven-play, 50-yard touchdown drive that ended with a fourth-down pressure off the back foot that went 51.2 yards in the air and into the hands of Cole Kmet to send Bridge to the extra frame.
After forcing the Bears' defense to open an OT three-and-out, Williams had a chance to save time, but a "miscommunication" with receiver D.J.MOORE is led to the third night INT.Chicago's defense couldn't stop it any longer.
"That's part of the shame. Our defense broke their targets," Johnson said of the unit. "They did it. I thought they did a great job. They're the No. 1 offense in the football, both in yards and points, and I thought (defensive coordinator) Dennis (Allen) and the defensive coaching staff had a good plan, they had weapons all over the field, but the running game is also very effective. They can give you problems and be very effective for you," Johnson said of the team that playedtheir best match of the year.They did a good job planning, I thought they played with great passion and they definitely had us on board the whole time.
Chicago will regret the missed opportunity on Sunday.The Bears drove up and down the field against Los Angeles, gaining 417 yards.However, they went 3-for-6 on fourth down, and Williams threw three interceptions — two plus in the field — as the Bears went up by three points at halftime.
After a great catch by Williams, Johnson said he thought he'd go for two points and win, but considering the Bears were down to four plays from the 5-yard line on the previous drive, he decided to send the game into overtime.
"Think about it," said Johnson."Perhaps a little factor was that our goal situations were not as clean. Our plan inside five did not work as well as we were hoping. It felt better to take our chances at overtime."
The disappointing loss stung, but in Johnson's first season, with Williams showing great spirit in big moments and a defense that came together after getting players back late in the season, the future looked bright in the Windy City.There was no guarantee the Bears could replicate their magical run, but with Williams and Johnson, the future was brighter than it had been for decades in Chicago.
Even with all the impressive plays, Williams knows there are ways he can improve in Year 3.
"I'm going to watch film and talk to the trainer and then it's just about accuracy, working on my feet in the offseason," he said."It's getting to know the receivers and working with them and stuff like that during the offseason so we can be on the same level, start hot for training camp, OTAs and then go into next season."
