If you turned off the TV early, honestly, I don't blame you. But you missed a hell of a finish. The score on Sunday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears just wrapped up at Soldier Field, and it was the kind of gritty, frost-bitten playoff football that reminds you why the Divisional Round is usually the best weekend of the year.
The Chicago Bears walked away with a 24-20 victory, punching their ticket to the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. It wasn’t always pretty. In fact, for about three quarters, it was a total slog. But Caleb Williams found a way to outlast Matthew Stafford in the closing minutes, and the "Monsters of the Midway" defense lived up to the name when it mattered most.
How the Score on Sunday Night Football Game Settled at 24-20
The game started like a classic Chicago winter chess match. The Rams came out aggressive, clearly trying to neutralize the crowd noise by feeding Kyren Williams early and often. Los Angeles actually led 10-3 at halftime, thanks to a 14-yard touchdown strike from Stafford to Puka Nacua that silenced the Soldier Field faithful. Chicago’s offense looked stuck in the mud, struggling to handle the Rams' front four.
Then the third quarter happened.
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Chicago finally found some life through a defensive turnover. Jaylon Johnson jumped a flat route, snagging a Stafford pass and taking it back to the Rams' 12-yard line. Two plays later, D'Andre Swift punched it in. Suddenly, we had a ballgame.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair that saw the lead change three times. The Rams kicked a field goal to go up 13-10. Then Caleb Williams hit Rome Odunze on a 45-yard bomb to make it 17-13. Stafford, ever the veteran, drove the Rams 80 yards in four minutes, capped by a Kyren Williams touchdown run to regain a 20-17 lead with just over three minutes left on the clock.
But it was Caleb Williams' moment. The rookie orchestrated a 75-yard drive, converting two massive third downs before finding Cole Kmet in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score. The Rams had one last shot, but a Montez Sweat sack on fourth down ended their season.
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Key Takeaways from the Divisional Round Finale
This wasn't just about the final numbers on the scoreboard. It was about survival. Chicago's victory means they are heading to Seattle next Sunday to play for a spot in the Super Bowl. For the Rams, it’s a bitter end to a season where many experts thought they were the most dangerous team in the NFC.
The Caleb Williams Factor
Basically, the kid is for real. There’s always been talk about his ability to play "hero ball," but tonight he showed a level of poise that’s rare for a first-year quarterback in the playoffs. He finished the night 19-of-28 for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly? Zero interceptions. In a game where the margins were this thin, taking care of the football was the difference.
Defensive Stand
The Bears' defense held the Rams to just 68 rushing yards. That is insane when you consider how Kyren Williams has been playing lately. By forcing Stafford to win the game through the air in sub-freezing temperatures, Chicago played right into their own strengths.
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Stafford's Likely Final Chapter?
You have to wonder what’s next for Matthew Stafford. He threw for nearly 300 yards tonight, but the two turnovers—the interception and the final-drive fumble—were backbreakers. At 37, the questions about his future will be the biggest story in Los Angeles this offseason.
Looking Ahead to the Championship Games
Now that the score on Sunday Night Football game is official, the NFL playoff bracket is set for the Conference Championships next Sunday, January 25, 2026.
- AFC Championship: Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos (3:05 PM ET on CBS)
- NFC Championship: Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks (6:30 PM ET on FOX)
The Broncos are coming off an emotional overtime win against the Bills, but they'll be without Bo Nix, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Meanwhile, the Seahawks look like a juggernaut after dismantling the 49ers 41-6. Chicago has their work cut out for them, but after tonight’s performance, nobody is counting them out.
If you're looking for actionable moves following this game, keep a close eye on the injury reports for both Cole Kmet (who looked banged up on that final TD) and Rams' Cooper Kupp, who left briefly in the fourth quarter. For bettors, the early lines are already favoring Seattle by 5.5 points at home, which feels about right given how dominant they've been at Lumen Field.
Check the official NFL standings and playoff hubs for updated roster moves as we head into the biggest week of the season so far.