Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams survived an incredible throw by Caleb Williams that forced overtime, beating the Chicago Bears 20-17 on Sunday night to advance to the NFC championship game.

Harrison Mevis kicked a 42-yard field goal in OT after Kam Curl intercepted a deep pass by Williams on the Bears' first possession of the extra period. Stafford completed a 16-yard pass to Puka Nacua to get the Rams into field-goal range and set up Mevis, known as the "Thiccer Kicker," for the game-ending kick. He was mobbed by teammates while a crowd that was rocking earlier watched in near silence.

The Rams (14-5) will visit NFC West rival Seattle next Sunday in their first trip to the conference championship game since the 2021 team won the Super Bowl. The Seahawks beat San Francisco 41-6 on Saturday.

Los Angeles led 17-10 in the final minute and the Bears faced fourth-and-4 from the 14-yard line when Williams backpedaled to avoid the pass rush and heaved the ball to Cole Kmet for the tying touchdown with 18 seconds left. Although officially a 14-yard pass, the ball traveled 51.2 yards in the air, according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats.

Williams threw for two touchdowns but was intercepted three times for the Bears (12-7), who pulled off a series of improbable wins under first-year coach Ben Johnson but came up short this time.

The Rams will face the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Bears: Disappointment, but hope for future after game

After the game, there was a mixed sentiment in the locker room — with hope for the future, but also plenty of emotions, and just bitter disappointment. They all realized that the exact group that constituted the Bears this season had played their last game.

"I'm glad we took a step in the right direction this year, and we've been counted on all year," said Bears running back D'Andre Swift. "It ain't no moral victory. I understand that. But I'm damn proud of this group, this coaching staff — the work that we put in."

"It's the NFL, right? You make it to the tournament like this, and the moment — we knew we had to win four in a row to actually feel good at the end of the thing," said Bears head coach Ben Johnson," and we didn't get that done, so this is what happens is it ends abruptly."

"You can't take for granted the opportunity to get to this chance, and to have an opportunity to go to the NFC Championship Game, and then who knows from there?" said Kmet. "To just think that it's going to happen again? That's very wishful thinking."

Swift was not the only one who scoffed at the idea of "moral victories."

"It just didn't work out for us this year. But just super-proud of the group we have. No reason to, you know, hang our heads," said Bears safety Kevin Byard. "We don't believe in moral victories, but you know, just a special group, and the culture has been set."

It was unfortunate that Williams' season, filled with amazing plays, ended with his final pass being intercepted. Williams said he and DJ Moore just weren't on the same page on that play during overtime.

"Miscommunication between him and I — it's tough," said Williams. "You know, in these moments, you feel that you let your team down, and you feel that you, you know, this or that, and it's a good lesson learned."

The Bears will have their locker room cleanout on Monday, and then it's on to the offseason.

Most of the core group will be back. Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker on defense are free agents, but both said they want to be back with the Bears next season.