The Bears faced a tough situation as they aimed for victory with Caleb Williams trying to connect with their top receiver, but a last-minute mistake resulted in a loss.
As the game reached overtime with a 17-17 tie and the Bears pushing forward, Williams targeted DJ Moore for a deep pass near the red zone. Unfortunately, that throw came up short.
Safety Camren Carle intercepted the pass, and it seemed like Moore took a different route than Williams anticipated. This miscommunication marked what would be Williams’ final play of the season, paving the way for Matthew Stafford and the Rams to claim the winning field goal.
Fans were visibly shocked as Moore appeared to slow down, allowing Carl to dive in and make the interception.
Williams reflected after the game, saying, “I’ll have to go back and look. I haven’t seen it yet.” He added that there was a misunderstanding on the field: “DJ was trying hard. It was a miscommunication. I thought he could flatten out under the safety, but he kept it vertical.”
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky commented that the play involved more than just a player giving up on a route. He pointed out that Moore faced criticism for not adjusting his route to be shorter, suggesting the breakdown was likely due to differing perspectives on how the play should develop. “It wasn’t an effort issue,” Orlovsky said, noting it felt like a “bang-bang” situation where each player saw things differently.
With the Bears in striking distance for a field goal from kicker Cairo Santos, some questioned the need for such a bold play on second-and-eight.
Bears coach Ben Johnson acknowledged his team’s relentless effort to stay in the game despite the disappointing outcome. “The players fought until the end, just like they have all season,” he said. “It’s tough. They believed they could win every week, and it’s disappointing.” Johnson expressed deep disappointment in the result.
Moore had a moment of controversy during the game when he was briefly ejected after a hit near the sidelines, and he didn’t comment to reporters following the loss.
Meanwhile, the Rams are set to move on to the NFC Championship Game against Seattle, while the Bears are left to regroup after what was a promising first season under Johnson.
Looking back, the 2025 Bears have earned a reputation as the “Heart Bears,” known for their incredible comebacks and unforgettable plays.
In a dramatic moment with just 18 seconds remaining, the Bears tied the game when Williams threw a touchdown pass to Cole Kmet, launching from more than 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage on a critical fourth down.
Although they exited the season having clinched the NFC North title, they were only a couple of plays away from the NFC title game.
