January 19, 2026

CHICAGO — The Los Angeles Rams’ offense, which led the league in offensive DVOA during the regular season, faced challenges throughout their 20-17 divisional round victory over the Chicago Bears. By the end of the third quarter, the Rams managed just 174 yards, marking their lowest total of the season, as reported by ESPN Research.

The Rams’ defense rose to the occasion, with safety Kam Curl intercepting a Caleb Williams pass in overtime, giving Los Angeles possession at their own 22-yard line.

This marked the Rams’ third turnover of the game, including two interceptions from cornerback Cobie Durant. This was the Rams’ most interceptions in a playoff game since they recorded six in the 2001 divisional round against the Packers, according to ESPN Research. The Rams’ defense also limited the Bears to 3 of 6 on fourth downs, including a critical stop near the goal line with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter.

even if it wasn’t the most impressive game for the Rams, it was sufficient to propel them to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since their Super Bowl LVI victory in the 2021 season.

Get ready for Rams vs. Seahawks Part III.

The upcoming match against the Seattle Seahawks is set for Sunday, a team they previously split the season series with: a narrow 21-19 win at SoFi Stadium in Week 11 and a tight 38-37 overtime loss in Week 16.

Evaluating the QB performance: Stafford and the Rams offense had a tough time during the majority of the first three quarters, yet they executed a key drive when it was most critical, regaining the lead in the fourth. Stafford faced significant pressure, being sacked four times by the Bears, marking his most sacks taken since the Philadelphia Eagles recorded five in the 2024 divisional round, which ended Los Angeles’ season, according to ESPN Research. This match also marked his first game this season without a passing touchdown.

Important stat: The Rams are the first team in the last 25 postseasons to achieve a touchdown drive of at least 14 plays on their opening possession, per ESPN Research. even if their offense lagged until the fourth quarter, they managed another 14-play touchdown drive. They are the first team to record multiple touchdown drives of 14 plays or longer in a single playoff contest since the Eagles in the 2022 NFC Championship against the 49ers.

Key gap in the game plan: Davante Adams was shut out in the first three quarters. According to ESPN Research, this was only the second instance in his nine-season NFL career where he failed to catch a pass through three quarters. He concluded the game with 2 receptions for 24 yards. — Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Seahawks

The Bears exhibited their resilience right until the end.

Trailing by seven late in the game, Caleb Williams worked his magic one more time, connecting with Cole Kmet in the corner of the north end zone at Soldier Field for a 14-yard touchdown that sent the game into overtime.

This was only the second overtime playoff game in Bears history. Their first possession in overtime, however, ended in disappointment as Williams threw an interception—marking his third of the game.

The Rams solidified their NFC Championship Game spot on their subsequent drive, concluding with a 42-yard field goal.

Ben Johnson’s inaugural year with the Bears proved fruitful, even though they fell short of reaching the title game as the NFC’s No. 2 seed. The Bears ended the regular season with 11 victories and secured their first playoff win in 15 years against the Packers in the wild-card round.

Assessment of the QB performance: Throughout the season, Williams has been known for his late-game heroics, leading the Bears to victory. yet, on Sunday, his late-game prowess seemed to fade. even if he managed to throw a spectacular TD pass with 18 seconds remaining, tying the game at 17-17 and pushing it to overtime, his struggles persisted. In the second half and overtime, he completed only 10 of 23 passes (43%) and threw two interceptions. His final line was 23 completions on 42 attempts for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. This marked his second consecutive game with multiple interceptions, a stark contrast to his regular-season performance. After recording a career-high 13 off-target throws against the Packers, he notched nine more in the matchup against the Rams, culminating in his overtime interception.

Key stat: Colston Loveland’s 18-yard reception on the Bears’ final drive of the fourth quarter broke Sam LaPorta’s record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a single postseason since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970. Loveland accumulated 193 receiving yards this postseason, surpassing LaPorta’s 176 in 2023.

Unexpected standout performance: Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen employed effective pressure tactics with complex stunts and blitzes that left QB Matthew Stafford looking unusually imprecise, resulting in 11 off-target passes. With C.J. Gardner-Johnson back from a concussion, Allen was able to use Chicago’s full roster of defensive backs to maintain pressure on Stafford, especially through dime packages, leading to three sacks. Overall, the Bears pressured Stafford on 37% of his dropbacks, and he struggled significantly with play-action, finishing 0-of-9.

— Courtney Cronin

Bears offseason guide

DENVER — Broncos quarterback Bo Nix orchestrated another comeback victory on Saturday, propelling the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game with a 33-30 overtime triumph over the Buffalo Bills. yet, a fractured right ankle sustained just three plays before Wil Lutz’s game-winning field goal will keep Denver’s second-year quarterback out for the remainder of the season.

Nix’s injury leaves the Broncos in a precarious position as the franchise aims for its fourth Super Bowl title. What lies ahead for Denver and its young quarterback?

Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold addressed the injury from the team’s viewpoint, while ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder shared his thoughts on the Broncos’ postseason outlook, and injury analyst Stephania Bell provided insights into Nix’s recovery and potential long-term effects.

Jump to a section:
What happened? | Who’s next?
Potential adjustments | Broncos reaction
Can Denver still win it? | Nix’s outlook

What happened?

Broncos coach Sean Payton reported that Nix sustained the fracture during a first-and-10 play at the Bills’ 36-yard line with 6:04 remaining in overtime. Nix lost 2 yards on a designed run as he was tackled by Buffalo safety Cole Bishop. though he limped slightly after the play, he quickly returned to the huddle.

On the following play, he threw a deep incompletion to wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., drawing a pass interference call against Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White. Nix then reset for a kneel-down, but during that play, his right ankle twisted awkwardly and seemed to buckle. He was visibly limping as he moved to the sidelines before Lutz’s game-winning kick. — Legwold

Who is next up for the Broncos?

Jarrett Stidham serves as the Broncos’ backup QB. He joined Denver as a free agent in 2023, right after Payton was appointed head coach. Payton has often praised Stidham’s experience and personality as crucial for aiding Nix’s development in his first two NFL seasons. Stidham, a fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2019, spent three years there before moving to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 as Derek Carr’s backup.

Stidham credits his time learning from Tom Brady with the Patriots as essential to his growth. In 2023, after Payton benched Russell Wilson, Stidham started two games, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception. While he may lack Nix’s mobility, he is not hesitant to take deep shots downfield, which he has demonstrated in past game situations.

As for the player behind Stidham, the Broncos’ strategy to retain Sam Ehlinger has been fruitful. Ehlinger declined an offer to join the Indianapolis Colts’ active roster earlier this season, opting to stay on the Broncos’ practice squad. — Legwold

What can Denver do to help Stidham?

After three years with the Broncos, Payton is confident that Stidham is well-versed enough with the playbook to provide a full range of options in the game strategy. Since Nix was integral to the Broncos’ running game, Payton may need to reassess how the quarterback fits into that aspect of the offense. In Saturday’s win over the Bills, Broncos running backs only managed 10 carries, while Nix had 12. Nix also led the team with 29 rushing yards.

also, Nix has been one of the toughest quarterbacks to sack since entering the NFL in 2024. On Saturday, it marked the 12th game this season where he was sacked one time or not at all. The Broncos might require some adjustments to their protection schemes with Stidham, who has been sacked 13 times in four career starts, including five times in one of his starts in 2023 with the Broncos. — Legwold

play

Broncos outlast Bills in OT to reach AFC title game

The Broncos secure a spot in the AFC Championship Game with an exhilarating overtime win against the Bills.

What is the immediate reaction from the Broncos?

Payton announced the news after many Broncos players had already exited the locker room, meaning that several likely discovered it as they left for home. Payton will see some players on Sunday for medical treatment, with more expected on Monday.

Players who heard the news at the stadium on Saturday expressed disappointment, particularly for Nix. yet, the quick turnaround to prepare for the AFC Championship Game will necessitate a rapid adjustment. Nix is set to undergo surgery on Tuesday in Birmingham, Alabama, and will likely be around his teammates later that week. — Legwold

Do the Broncos have any chance of beating the Patriots or Texans without Nix? What about winning the Super Bowl?

Reflecting on a similar situation eight years ago, I remember writing off the Eagles’ Super Bowl chances with Nick Foles after Carson Wentz got hurt late in the season. That proved to be an error, mainly because that 2017 Eagles team had a top-tier roster supporting a backup quarterback. The Broncos appear to be in a similar situation; they boast one of the best offensive lines in the league and a strong defense capable of shutting down both the run and the pass.

While I’m skeptical about Denver’s chances and would be surprised to see them celebrating next weekend, let alone in Super Bowl LX, they are just two wins away from a championship in an open season. owing to the depth and talent on their roster, I won’t completely dismiss their chances. — Walder

What is the long-term impact? How long could Nix be sidelined?

Without complete details regarding Nix’s ankle fracture, it is challenging to specify his exact treatment and recovery timeline. yet, Payton’s comments after the game indicated that Nix will require surgery, suggesting that the fracture is unstable and needs hardware for stabilization and proper alignment. Their ability to report this information right after the game implies that the fracture was clearly visible on X-ray.

Typically, recovery from an ankle fracture repair spans about 10 to 12 weeks, but regaining full joint range of motion, strength, and function can take three to four months. If all goes well, Nix should be on track to start the 2026 regular season, assuming there are no complications. — Bell

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — This game may not have been a masterpiece of football.

In a match marked by turnovers and the snowy weather, the New England Patriots relied on their defense and a few crucial offensive plays to secure a 28-16 win against the Houston Texans in an AFC divisional playoff game on Sunday.

The Patriots’ defense forced five turnovers, including four interceptions of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, while New England quarterback Drake Maye overcame three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception) to aid the No. 2 seed’s advancement, throwing for three touchdowns.

The Patriots are set to face the Denver Broncos next Sunday (3 p.m. ET, CBS) for a chance to reach the Super Bowl, matching up against Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is stepping in for the injured Bo Nix. The Patriots will aim to maintain their aggressive playstyle in Denver, a venue where they have struggled historically, particularly in the playoffs.

Here are the key takeaways from Sunday’s game for both teams:

New England Patriots

Assessing the quarterback’s performance: Maye struggled with ball security, partly due to pass protection issues. He fumbled four times, raising his season total to 14, the highest in the league ahead of Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Cam Ward, each with 11. Among those 14, six were lost, second only to Ward’s seven. Maye became only the second player in the last 15 years to fumble three times in a half during a playoff game, alongside Stroud from last week. Nevertheless, when it was crucial, Maye executed a perfect 32-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kayshon Boutte. He ended with 16-of-27 for 179 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Turning point: Trailing 10-7 early in the second quarter, Stroud made a risky pass under pressure from defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson, which cornerback Marcus Jones intercepted and returned 26 yards for a touchdown, giving the Patriots a 14-10 lead they would not relinquish.

Trend to watch: The Patriots held the Texans to just 8 rushing yards on 12 carries in the first half, effectively dominating the line of scrimmage. This limitation forced Stroud into mistakes in the passing game and may be crucial against the Broncos and Stidham, who is newly under pressure.

Stat to note: Receiver Stefon Diggs’ 7-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter marked his 49th career touchdown reception, the fourth-most among all players since he joined the NFL in 2015 as a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings. Only Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and DeAndre Hopkins have more.

Most remarkable performance: Cornerback Carlton Davis III had a standout day with two first-half interceptions. He demonstrated skillfully maintaining his feet in bounds on both plays. Davis had participated in 90.9% of the defensive snaps before this game and was in search of his first interception of the season, having notched 11 career picks across eight seasons. — Mike Reiss

Houston Texans

The question is, is it 2024, 2025, or 2026? Regardless, the Texans were once again not prepared to seize history.

Houston arrived at this divisional round matchup with a winless 0-6 history, but this season felt like a real opportunity for them to reach their first conference championship.

With a 10-game winning streak and a commanding victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the prior wild-card round, the Texans’ defense, known as one of the league’s strongest, was set to take advantage of snowy and harsh conditions that could benefit a stout defense.

yet, everything that could go awry did go awry. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, devoid of his primary two targets—with receiver Nico Collins out due to a concussion incurred in the previous wild-card game and tight end Dalton Schultz sidelined in the second quarter with a calf issue—delivered one of the poorest performances of his young career, tossing four interceptions in the first half alone. He concluded with 20-of-47 passes for 212 yards and a dismal QB rating of 28.

One of his picks was returned for a touchdown, a pivotal error. plus, running back Woody Marks fumbled during a critical third-quarter drive while Houston was behind 21-16, after the defense had just forced a fumble from Maye.

The defense, which averaged just 17.4 points allowed per game in the regular season, surrendered three touchdowns, the highest total they had conceded in nearly a month. though the Texans produced three turnovers, they did not demonstrate the shutdown capabilities that had become their standard.

Coach DeMeco Ryans’ third year ended similarly to the previous two: falling on the road in cold conditions during the divisional round.

Key turning point: With 12 minutes remaining, Boutte’s acrobatic touchdown grab against All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was a game-changer, extending the Patriots’ lead to 28-16.

Statistic of note: Stroud’s four interceptions in the first half tied for the most in a playoff half since 2000. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown, marking the first pick-six Stroud has thrown since being selected second overall in the 2023 draft.

Trend to monitor: Stroud has committed seven turnovers across his last two playoff games, his highest total for any two-game stretch. While only two out of five fumbles were lost in Houston’s wild-card victory, Sunday’s contest featured multiple dropped interceptions, making seven turnovers seem fortunate.

Best locker room quote: Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. reassured Stroud post-game: “I still think you’re the best quarterback in the league, no doubt.” — D.J. Bien-Aime

When a single NFL playoff game commands widespread attention, officiating decisions become highly scrutinized. Add the intensity of overtime to the mix, and you have the heated discussions that arose after the Denver Broncos’ 33-30 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Saturday’s divisional round.

The game’s outcome hinged on three critical calls in overtime: one was an unusual interception that halted a Bills possession, another involved a pass interference penalty against Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White, and the last was on Taron Johnson. These two penalties accounted for 47 yards on the Broncos’ game-winning drive. Longtime observers of Broncos coach Sean Payton noted the coincidental nature of the two pass interference flags, especially since he missed a chance to advance to Super Bowl LIII in 2019 due to a missed pass interference call while coaching the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game.

Let’s delve deeper into the specific situations from Saturday night’s game.

The situation: The Bills were positioned at their 36-yard line, facing third down, needing 11 yards. Quarterback Josh Allen launched a deep pass towards receiver Brandin Cooks, with Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian covering. Cooks made a leaping catch, but the ball quickly shifted from his grip to McMillian’s just after Cooks landed.

The call: Referee Carl Cheffers’ crew ruled it an interception.

Analysis: mainly, Cheffers’ crew concluded that Cooks failed to maintain possession of the ball before it was taken by McMillian. Since the ball did not touch the ground, it remained live at that moment.

According to the NFL rulebook, Cooks needed to fulfill three criteria to establish possession for a catch. First, he had to exhibit complete control of the ball through his hands or arms, which he did. Next, he had to be in bounds, which he clearly was. Lastly, he needed to execute an additional act common to the game or maintain control of the ball sufficiently to perform one.

also, the rulebook states: “If a player meets the first two criteria but fails to satisfy the third for possession, and then loses control of the ball after contacting the ground, possession is deemed not achieved.”

Video footage reveals that indeed, the ball switched from Cooks to McMillian when Cooks hit the ground. for that reason, Cooks did not satisfy the NFL’s definition of possession. McMillian did; he had control of the ball, was in bounds, and maintained control as he rolled over Cooks.

The quote: “I struggle to understand why the call was made the way it was,” said Bills coach Sean McDermott.

The situation: The Broncos had possession at their 47-yard line, needing 10 yards on second down. Quarterback Bo Nix threw a 17-yard pass toward receiver Courtland Sutton at the sideline, with Johnson providing coverage. The ball fell incomplete.

The call: Johnson was flagged for pass interference.

Analysis: The NFL rulebook defines pass interference as “any action by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage that significantly impedes an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball.” Specific actions that qualify are also outlined, one of which seems applicable to Johnson in this instance.

Players cannot “grab an opponent’s arms in a manner that restricts his chance to catch a pass.” Slow-motion replays indicate that Johnson briefly grabbed Sutton’s right arm, a point Cheffers acknowledged in a subsequent pool report.

but, despite the instances highlighted in the rulebook, pass interference is often subjective. When does contact genuinely impede an opportunity?

The Bills typically excel in refraining from penalties, having tied for the fewest defensive pass interference penalties in the NFL this season (only four). In this particular case, one might argue that Johnson’s interaction did not seem substantial. While these calls can be tough to discern in real time, a reasonable observer watching a replay might conclude that Johnson’s contact was not a factor in the incompletion.

The situation: The Broncos were on the Bills’ 38-yard line, facing second-and-12. Nix sent a pass downfield to receiver Marvin Mims Jr., who was covered by White. The ball was incomplete.

The call: Cheffers’ crew flagged White for defensive pass interference, resulting in a 30-yard spot foul that positioned the Broncos for a short, game-winning field goal.

Analysis: Following the previous call, Nix sought another penalty just two plays later. This time, White’s contact seemed more pronounced. He grabbed Mims around the waist and started to pull him down before the ball arrived. It is irrelevant whether Mims would have caught the pass without the contact; White’s actions prevented Mims from having the opportunity defined by the rules to make the catch.