The Chicago Bears' playoff run came to an end in stunning fashion on Sunday night, as they fell short of making it to the NFC Championship Game. Despite their impressive 11-6 regular season record, the team couldn't quite get over the hump against division rival Los Angeles Rams.
A thrilling 20-17 overtime victory for the Rams secured a spot in the championship game, leaving the Bears' dreams of an extended postseason run in tatters. The Bears' inability to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, including a potential game-winning touchdown attempt, proved costly.
The loss also means that the Bears will have to wait until April to find out where their 25th pick in this year's NFL Draft falls. This marks the latest in a recent string of high draft picks for Chicago, who haven't had much luck when it comes to securing top-tier talent through the first round since 2011.
The Rams' victory also highlighted the importance of weather conditions in NFL games. The officials on hand deemed Sunday night's contest, which was played in temperatures below freezing, as an outdoor game. This meant that the Bears would have had to convert a relatively short field goal attempt into a two-point conversion if they were to take the lead with time remaining.
While the loss stings, the Bears' postseason run has provided fans with a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the future. The team's impressive 11-6 regular season record bodes well for the long haul, as they will now look to make some key offseason moves in order to stay competitive in the NFC Central division.
A thrilling 20-17 overtime victory for the Rams secured a spot in the championship game, leaving the Bears' dreams of an extended postseason run in tatters. The Bears' inability to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, including a potential game-winning touchdown attempt, proved costly.
The loss also means that the Bears will have to wait until April to find out where their 25th pick in this year's NFL Draft falls. This marks the latest in a recent string of high draft picks for Chicago, who haven't had much luck when it comes to securing top-tier talent through the first round since 2011.
The Rams' victory also highlighted the importance of weather conditions in NFL games. The officials on hand deemed Sunday night's contest, which was played in temperatures below freezing, as an outdoor game. This meant that the Bears would have had to convert a relatively short field goal attempt into a two-point conversion if they were to take the lead with time remaining.
While the loss stings, the Bears' postseason run has provided fans with a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the future. The team's impressive 11-6 regular season record bodes well for the long haul, as they will now look to make some key offseason moves in order to stay competitive in the NFC Central division.