Rams’ defense steps up again for crucial 4th down stop late vs. Bears

The 2025 Los Angeles Rams continue to prove that when the stakes rise, their defense responds. In a tense NFC playoff showdown against the Chicago Bears, it was a single snap late in the fourth quarter that was indeed one of the defining moments of the night and ultimately helped push the Rams into the NFC Championship Game.

With just over three minutes remaining and Chicago trailing 17-10, the Bears faced a must-have situation at fourth-and-goal from the Rams’ two-yard line. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams dropped back looking for a game-tying score, but linebacker Omar Speights read the play perfectly. Speights jumped in front of the intended target and broke up the pass, forcing a turnover on downs and silencing Soldier Field in an instant.

WHAT A STOP FOR THE RAMS DEFENSE.

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That goal-line stand wasn’t just another stop; it was a continuation of a growing pattern for Los Angeles. The Bears had driven the length of the field and appeared poised to shift momentum, but the Rams’ defense refused to bend when it mattered most. Taking over deep in their own territory, Los Angeles managed the clock and preserved the lead long enough to force overtime.

Chicago, to its credit, refused to go quietly. In the final seconds of regulation, Williams delivered a dramatic fadeaway touchdown pass to Cole Kmet in the back of the end zone, sending the game into overtime and reigniting belief among Bears fans.

But overtime told a familiar story. After the Rams’ offense stalled on its first possession, Williams threw his third interception of the game, giving Matthew Stafford another opportunity. This time, the Rams capitalized. Los Angeles moved the ball 54 yards before rookie kicker Harrison Mevis calmly drilled a 42-yard field goal, sealing a 20-17 overtime victory.

The result sends the Rams back west with momentum and confidence, one win away from a Super Bowl appearance. More importantly, it reinforces an identity that has defined their postseason run — timely defense, discipline under pressure, and an ability to close when everything is on the line.

Next week, that formula will be tested again in a high-stakes NFC Championship rematch against the Seattle Seahawks, where moments like Omar Speights’ fourth-down stop could once again prove vital to decide in clutch moments.

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