The Chicago Bears pushed the Los Angeles Rams to the brink in their first divisional round appearance since 2010.
Quarterback Caleb Williams led a game-tying touchdown drive to knot the game 17-17 with 18 seconds to go. In overtime, Chicago’s defense forced a three-and-out, giving the Bears a chance to make the NFC championship game.
On second-and-8 midway through the overtime period, Williams dropped back and fired a deep shot down the right sideline towards wideout D.J. Moore but Rams safety Kam Curl undercut it for an interception.
Some have pointed out that Moore’s effort on the route may have left something to be desired at that point in the game, with the receiver seemingly slowing to a jog before Williams delivered the ball.
After the game, Williams said that it was nothing but a ‘miscommunication’ on the critical turnover.
‘I got to go back and watch it… but in the moment, I saw the front-side safety down, front-sided concept,’ he explained. ‘End up getting hemmed up a little bit and so moved on and had D.J. [Moore] going over top over all of it. Just a miscommunication between him and I. Tried to flatten him off under the safety and he kept it vertical from what I saw in the moment.’
That was the third interception of the game for Williams, his most in a game this year (regular season and playoffs).
Williams finished the night 23-of-42 passing for 257 yards and two touchdowns in addition to his three interceptions. He added five carries for 40 yards on the ground as well.
He found Moore for the Bears’ first touchdown of the night, a three-yard score to tie the game 7-7 on the first play of the second quarter.
His other two interceptions came on the opening drive of the game and the third quarter with the game tied 10-10. A quarter later, Williams ensured the Bears had extra time to fight for a spot in the NFC championship game.
