If you were looking for pretty football, you definitely didn't tune into the AFC matchup earlier. But if you wanted chaos, Foxboro delivered in spades. Honestly, between the fumbles and the freezing rain, it felt like neither team actually wanted to hold onto the ball. But the clock has hit zero on both Divisional Round games, and we finally have our final scores.
What's the score on the nfl football game tonight?
The final whistle has blown at Soldier Field, and the Los Angeles Rams have defeated the Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime. It was a heartbreaker for the Windy City. Caleb Williams almost pulled off a miracle, but Matthew Stafford’s experience—and a very reliable leg from Harrison Mevis—sent the Rams to the NFC Championship.
Earlier in the day, the New England Patriots topped the Houston Texans 28-16. Drake Maye might have fumbled four times (yeah, you read that right), but the Patriots' defense turned C.J. Stroud into a turnover machine to seal the win.
So, if you're keeping track for your bracket or just your own sanity, the road to the Super Bowl just got a lot narrower.
Rams vs. Bears: The overtime thriller at Soldier Field
This game was a total slog for three quarters. Snow showers in Chicago made the field look like a giant slip-and-slide. The Rams led 17-10 late in the fourth, and it looked like Chicago was cooked. Then Caleb Williams happened. On a desperate fourth-and-4 from the 14-yard line, the kid backpedaled halfway to Lake Michigan and launched a prayer to Cole Kmet.
✨ Don't miss: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
Touchdown. Tie game. 18 seconds left.
In overtime, the Bears had the momentum, but they couldn't finish the job. The Rams' defense stood tall, forcing a punt that gave Stafford the ball back. He did what he always does: found Puka Nacua for a couple of chunks and set up Harrison Mevis for a 32-yard game-winning field goal. The Rams are now headed to Seattle next Sunday.
Patriots vs. Texans: Defense wins championships (and covers fumbles)
Over in Foxboro, the "score on the nfl football game tonight" tells a story of a defense that refused to break. The Patriots' 28-16 victory was basically a masterclass in opportunistic football. Drake Maye had a rough afternoon with the ball security, losing two of his four fumbles. Usually, that's a recipe for a blowout loss.
But the Patriots' secondary was elite. They intercepted C.J. Stroud four times. Four! Marcus Jones even took one of those back for a "pick-six" that completely sucked the air out of the Houston sideline.
🔗 Read more: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
The dagger was a 32-yard touchdown pass from Maye to Kayshon Boutte in the fourth quarter. Boutte made a diving, one-handed snag that belongs on every highlight reel for the next decade. It basically ended Houston's hopes and sent Mike Vrabel’s squad to Denver for the AFC Championship.
Why these scores change everything for next week
People were counting out the Rams after their mid-season slump. Nobody expected them to walk into a frozen Soldier Field and take down the No. 2 seed. But they did. Now they have to face a Seattle Seahawks team that just hung 41 points on the 49ers yesterday.
And New England? They're headed to Denver. The Broncos are the No. 1 seed, but they’re playing with a backup quarterback because Bo Nix went down in overtime during their win against Buffalo. It’s shaping up to be a wild Championship Sunday.
Key Takeaways from Today's Games:
- Matthew Stafford still has it: He didn't put up 400 yards, but he was calm when the Bears' crowd was deafening.
- The Patriots' defense is terrifying: If you can win a game while your QB fumbles four times, your defense is doing something special.
- Caleb Williams is the real deal: Even in a loss, that game-tying throw was the kind of stuff you see from future Hall of Famers.
- Turnovers are the only stat that mattered: Houston and Chicago both moved the ball well at times, but the Rams and Patriots protected the lead when it counted most.
What's next for the winners?
The NFL playoff bracket is now set for the conference finals. You've got the Rams visiting the Seahawks for the NFC crown, which is basically a bloodbath between division rivals. On the AFC side, the Patriots travel to Empower Field at Mile High to take on the Broncos.
💡 You might also like: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
If you're planning your next weekend, the AFC Championship kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on CBS, and the NFC Championship follows at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Get your bets in or your snacks ready, because the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is down to the final four. If today was any indication, expect a lot of drama, a few more fumbles, and probably some more gray hairs for the coaches involved.
Double-check your local listings for any last-minute kickoff shifts, especially with the weather patterns we've seen this January. The road to the Lombardi Trophy doesn't get any easier from here.