The Chicago Bears' remarkable season came to a devastating conclusion Sunday night in the NFC Divisional Playoff round, as their dramatic late-game heroics fell just short in a 20-17 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. After staging one of the most spectacular comebacks in recent franchise memory, the Bears watched their playoff hopes vanish when Rams kicker Harrison Mevis drilled a 42-yard field goal 3:19 into the extra period.
The final sequence capped a rollercoaster evening that saw Chicago's resilient squad once again defy the odds. For the seventh time this season—and second consecutive week—the Bears found themselves trailing in the final two minutes yet somehow manufactured a path to victory. This time, however, the final chapter wrote itself differently.
The Miracle That Almost Was
With just 18 seconds remaining in regulation and the Bears trailing 17-10, quarterback Caleb Williams faced a do-or-die fourth-and-4 situation from the Rams' 14-yard line. What transpired next will be replayed for years, regardless of the outcome. Under intense pressure, Williams retreated to his own 40-yard line before launching a desperate 50-yard heave off his back foot toward the back left corner of the end zone. Tight end Cole Kmet somehow came down with the ball, securing a touchdown that electrified the stadium and forced overtime.
Coach Ben Johnson, still processing the emotional swing hours later, struggled to find adequate words. "Ridiculous," he finally offered, shaking his head. "We talked about that fourth-and-8 from last week and how outstanding that was, and I think this one was probably even another level ahead of that. There are some things that you just can't coach."
The touchdown represented more than just points on the board—it embodied the never-say-die attitude that had defined Chicago's entire season. The Bears had made a habit of performing under pressure, winning seven games during the regular season when trailing with two minutes remaining, including their Wild Card victory over the Packers just six days earlier.
Overtime Agony
The Bears won the coin toss and elected to receive, but their defense took the field first after the offense's opening drive stalled. Chicago's defensive unit responded magnificently, forcing a three-and-out that gave the ball back to Williams and company at their own 16-yard line.
What followed was a methodical march downfield that had Bears fans believing in destiny once again. Williams orchestrated a drive that covered 36 yards and reached the Los Angeles 48, putting the team in position for a potential game-winning field goal attempt. But with fortune seemingly within grasp, disaster struck.
Rams safety Kam Curl read Williams' eyes perfectly, stepping in front of a pass for an interception at the Los Angeles 22-yard line. The turnover shifted momentum irrevocably. Matthew Stafford, the veteran Rams quarterback, calmly completed three consecutive passes for 43 yards, efficiently moving his team into Mevis' range. The rookie kicker, who had missed a potential game-winner earlier in the season, showed no hesitation as his boot sailed true, ending Chicago's magical run.
A Season Defined by Resilience
The loss stung particularly deep because it contradicted the narrative that had sustained the Bears throughout 2024. "Disappointing result tonight," Johnson admitted in his postgame press conference. "Our guys fought the entire way, just like they have all season long. I thought this was very much like our team has been. You've got to give the Rams credit … They ended up making a couple more plays than we did … and they ended up coming out on top."
That fighting spirit was never more evident than on the final drive of regulation, when Williams' touchdown pass traveled roughly 50 yards in the air despite being thrown from the 14-yard line—likely making it the longest 14-yard touchdown pass in NFL history. The play will join the franchise's lore alongside other legendary moments, even in defeat.
Johnson's young quarterback finished the game having demonstrated both brilliance and the growing pains of a rookie season. While his fourth-quarter heroics will be remembered, the overtime interception served as a harsh reminder of the fine line between triumph and heartbreak at the highest level.
Defensive Masterclass Wasted
Perhaps most frustrating for the Bears was that their defense delivered a performance worthy of victory. After surrendering a touchdown on the Rams' opening possession, coordinator Dennis Allen's unit clamped down, refusing to allow another touchdown until Kyren Williams' 5-yard run gave Los Angeles a 17-10 lead with 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.
"Our defense played their tails off," Johnson emphasized. "I thought they did a great job. That's the No. 1 offense in football yards and points and I thought Dennis and the defensive coaching staff, they had a great plan."
The Rams entered the game averaging over 30 points per contest, but Chicago's defense held them to 20, including the overtime field goal. The unit battled against a multifaceted Los Angeles attack featuring weapons at every skill position and a running game designed to wear opponents down. Yet the Bears' defenders consistently rose to the challenge, playing with what Johnson described as "great emotion" and relentless effort.
The Morning After
As the locker room cleared out late Sunday night, the weight of the loss was palpable. Players who had believed in miracles all season suddenly faced the reality of an offseason that arrived too soon. Johnson acknowledged the emotional toll: "Our guys are feeling it right now. They all believed all year long that we could find a way to win each and every week, so it's disappointing like that."
For a franchise that had endured years of mediocrity, the 2024 season represented a renaissance. Williams' emergence as a potential franchise quarterback, the defense's return to dominance, and the team's uncanny ability to thrive in clutch moments gave Chicago fans legitimate hope for the first time in nearly a decade.
The playoff loss to the Rams will haunt the organization, but it also provided invaluable experience for a young core. Williams, Kmet, and the team's emerging stars now understand what it takes to compete on championship Sunday. They've felt the pain of coming up one play short.
As the Bears turn their attention to 2025, they do so with a foundation firmly in place. The culture Johnson and his staff have built emphasizes resilience, belief, and execution under pressure. While Sunday's result was devastating, it may ultimately serve as the catalyst that pushes this team from playoff participant to legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The cardiac Bears may have run out of miracles this season, but they've given their fans something far more sustainable: hope for the future and a team worth believing in.