Allow head coach Ben Johnson to speak for all of Bears nation when he says, "It ends quickly. That's life in this league."
At snowy, frigid Soldier Field, the Bears season ends "quickly" as Johnson puts it, on an overtime field goal- Harrison Mevis' 42-yard kick, on the Rams second possession of O-T, 20-17, and following Caleb Williams third interception of the game.
"It's tough." Williams says.
"The best moment is being in that locker room after games and after wins. And being with the guys. You all have a common goal. You all sacrifice family time and things like that. All that you sacrifice to be in this position, to be in those moments. And so it's tough."
Mr. Brightside, Williams goes 23 of 42 passing, 257 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 0 sacks, QB Rating 59.3.
Game tied 10-10 entering the fourth quarter, the Bears fall behind with less than nine minutes left, 17-10.
After a Rams shanked punt, the Bears get the ball at the 50-yard line and Williams directs a game-tying scoring drive using one of his most draw-dropping plays of his two-year career. Williams scrambles backwards from the 14-yard line throwing the ball over 52 yards in the air ...to Cole Kmet in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown to tie the game and force overtime.
"You talk about that fourth-and-eight from last week (Williams highlight completion to help defeat the Packers) and how outstanding that was." Johnson says
"I think this one was probably even another level above that."
The Bears forced L.A. to punt on its first possession of O-T.
In single digit Accuweather Reel Feel temperatures, the Bears and Kmet had no clear cold weather advantage over the warm weather Rams from Los Angeles.
"It was fun to play in the snow. A snow game at Soldier (Field) at night. Divisional playoff game. I think we all embraced it." Kmet said.
"We knew that it would be a little bit of an adjustment for them. Credit to them, they handled it (the cold) really well and came out ready to go."
Fellow tight end Colston Loveland leaves the game late with a concussion, after 4 catches, 56yds.
Cairo Santos 1-1 on field goals. Plus, two extra points.
Safety Jaquan Brisker and the Bears defense earn 4 sacks but zero turnovers.
"It's sad for us all to go but I appreciate everybody in this locker room." Brisker says.
"Especially from the beginning- from OTA's to trusting the process, trusting the coaching staff and guys trusting players as leaders. For us all to mesh together it was an amazing season and it's sad that it ended, but appreciate everybody.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford 258 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, QB Rating 67.4, three completions to get L-A into game winning field goal range in overtime.
Rams running back Kyren Williams 87 yards rushing, 2 TD's.
"It hurts." Veteran safety Kevin Byard says.
"This a special group. I just kind of wish we had a little more time."
The Bears end the year (12-7), NFC North champions in Johnson's first season as a head coach.
The Bears still haven't reached the NFC title game since 2010, a loss to Green Bay 15yrs ago.
Less than 24 hours after being eliminated by the Rams, Bears players clean out their Halas Hall lockers for the off-season and go their separate ways.