The NFL Divisional Round is wrapping up on Sunday Night Football with a duel between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears. What many expected to be a shootout between two electric offenses turned into a defensive battle in the snow at Soldier Field.
Let’s dive into our takeaways from the Rams vs Bears clash in the Divisional Round.
Jaquan Brisker Demonstrates His Value in Contract Year
Chicago’s defense was bad in 2024, with a concussion limiting Jaquan Brisker to five games playing a major role in the struggles. The standout safety demonstrated his value on Sunday Night Football, making his presence felt in a variety of ways. Brisker sacked Matthew Stafford and picked up a tackle for loss, pass deflection and a quarterback hit, all the while leading the team in solo tackles. Brisker was incredible to watch in this game, with his all-around performance proving instrumental in shutting down the Rams offense for so long. Combine all of that with his comfort in coverage, those skills are going to earn him a nice payday this offseason. Chicago spent heavily on offense last year, it will be Brisker’s time to get paid this spring.
Kyren Williams Can Carry the Rams Offense When Needed
Kyren Williams was really the lone bright spot among the core Rams skill players on Sunday Night Football. Even before he punched in the go-ahead touchdown, his second score of the game, he was the central piece on each of those touchdown drives. He put up more receiving yards than Davante Adams and led the team in rushing with 87 yards. What is particularly impressive about the yardage totals is he had just one carry go for 10-plus yards, with everything else being a grind-it-out fight for 4 to 6 yards. Williams was truly the MVP for Los Angeles in the Divisional Round.
Caleb Williams is an Avenger-type QB
Unreal. There is just something about the most critical moments that brings the absolute best out of Caleb Williams. It is as if he does not flip a switch until the Bears’ back is up against the wall. It feels like Williams is an Avenger whose powers can lead to a bit of chaos, but it is all worth it in the end when he does something that saves the city. That fourth-down heave with the Bears’ season on the line is a moment that will go down as one of the most iconic in the history of Chicago sports. As for that overtime interception, DJ Moore stopped on the route. The Bears didn’t win, but the fact that Williams had two of the most jaw-dropping throwss in recent playoff history is more than enough for this organization, fan base and city to feel great about its future.
Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams Step Up When it Counts
Davante Adams didn’t have a catch in the first three quarters of the game. Until overtime, Matthew Stafford was largely being dragged to success by Kyren Williams and some clutch catches from his receivers. Then, with the Rams’ Super Bowl hopes at stake on the second drive in overtime, the veteran tandem delivered. With pressure in his face, Stafford delivered a perfect throw along the sideline to Adams and fit it right under the outstretched arms of a defender. Adams made a breathtaking catch, just securing possession and keeping his two feet in-bounds. Making that throw and catch in the clutch, those are the moments that can be remembered on the road to the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles Rams Defense Gets Back on Track at Perfect Time
Amid all the head-coaching interviews he has earned, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s unit had not been playing well coming into the night. Los Angeles ended the regular season allowing 23.9 points and 341.2 total yards per game with a 5.2 yards-per-play average. It was not any better in the Wild Card Round. With the season on the line and the offense struggling for a majority of the night, the Rams defense stepped up. Kamren Curl made the game-defining interception in overtime. Los Angeles also allowed just 17 points on 11 drives. Getting back on track defensively before the NFC Championship Game is huge for the Rams.
