Rams throw away game-winning opportunity on final drive as Bears maul Rams 24-18.

                 Los Angeles Rams #9 Matthew Stafford (QB) is looking downfield for an open receiver. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1

 CHICAGO, IL – With 63 seconds left in the game Matthew Stafford found himself in a familiar position, ball-in-hand with a chance to lead his team on a last-second game-winning drive.

Jaquan Brisker had a different ending in mind as the Bears safety intercepted Stafford allowing Chicago (2-2) to hold on and defeat the Los Angeles Rams (1-3) at Soldier Field 24-18.

In the duel of past No. 1 draft picks, Stafford had 224 passing yards with one interception and no touchdowns while the current top pick quarterback Caleb Williams managed 157 yards with one touchdown for the Bears.  

Offensively the game started strong for the Rams, marching 68 yards down the field on their opening drive ending with a 47-yard field goal by kicker Joshua Karty giving L.A. an early 3-0 lead. Unfortunately, multiple promising Red Zone drives in the first three quarters ended in field goals for the Rams.

“Throughout the course of the game we were able to move the ball but we did a really poor job of finishing drives,” said head coach Sean McVay. “For us to have four drives in the first half and settle for three field goal attempts and obviously the one play that resulted in a turnover, that was a killer.”

        Chicago Bears #18 Caleb Williams (QB) about to hand off the football to #4 D'Andre Swift (RB). Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.

Despite their Red Zone issues the Rams entered the final frame down one score, 17-9 on the back of one field goal each of the first three quarters.

On the first play of the fourth quarter Rams running back Kyren Williams burst up the middle for a six-yard touchdown score cutting the lead to 17-15. McVay elected to go for a two-point attempt to tie but it failed.

One positive takeaway from the offensive line is while their protection of Stafford was subpar, on the ground they were creating big holes for K. Williams. He was an offensive bright spot for L.A. finishing with 104 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

“The O-Line did a phenomenal job handling the front five and even the linebackers as well were giving me holes,” said K. Williams.

The Bears answered with C. Williams leading his team down the field and D’Andre Swift breaking free for a 36-yard touchdown run of his own two minutes later to increase their lead, 24-15.

Karty drilled a 52-yard field goal, the fourth of the game for the Rams rookie, making it a one-possession game 24-18 with 8:52 remaining. 

The Ram's defense held firm forcing multiple punts including the final one with 1:12 left giving the Comeback Kid a chance for a second week in a row for a last-minute rally. The O-Line wasn’t up for the task as Stafford was mauled by two defenders on his first pass of their final drive leading to the game-sealing takeaway as the Bears won.

                                     Los Angeles Rams #23 Kyren Williams (RB) six-yard touchdown run. Photo by Kevin Magee/TGSportstv1.

Chicago’s defense forced three sacks, seven tackles for loss, a fumble, and a pick as Stafford felt their presence and physicality all game long.

“Today was a disappointing outcome,” said McVay. “We had our opportunities to come out with the result that we were hunting up in this football game but ultimately we didn’t get it done and the Bears did.”

Some bright spots for L.A. were that Tutu Atwell continued to shine leading the receivers in yards for the second straight week with 82 yards. Additionally turning the day bittersweet for Stafford was that he moved into the Top 10 all-time in passing yards with 57,025 passing Eli Mannings 57,023.

“Tough to think about it at the moment obviously after a loss but it’s humbling to be mentioned with a great player like Eli,” said Stafford. “I was a fan of this game long before I became a player of it in the NFL and to be mentioned with some of those guys is a cool and humbling thing for me.”

Los Angeles will head back home to face the Green Bay Packers (2-2) next Sunday at SoFi Stadium before heading into a much-needed Week 6 Bye week, which may mark the return of Cooper Kupp as he continues to rehab from his Week 2 injury.