Caleb Williams TD to Cole Kmet: How Bears QB's spectacular throw forced OT, kept Chicago's season alive

Daniel Mader

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Caleb Williams TD to Cole Kmet: How Bears QB's spectacular throw forced OT, kept Chicago's season alive image

The 2025-26 Chicago Bears, time and time again, have found a way to get back in games.

After beating the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round thanks to a fourth-quarter comeback last week, Caleb Williams and the Bears were on their heels once again in Sunday's divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams. Matthew Stafford led a touchdown drive to give his squad a 17-10 fourth-quarter lead, and Chicago got one last opportunity to get back in it.

Naturally, in a magical season for Williams full of comebacks, he engineered one of the NFL's highlights of the year by finding Cole Kmet for a game-tying touchdown on the Bears' final shot, a fourth-down from the 14-yard line.

Chicago went on to fall in overtime, 20-17, but Williams' wild throw will undoubtedly remain the lasting image of the team's first season under Ben Johnson.

Here's how Williams' spectacular throw forced overtime against the Rams.

MORE: Caleb Williams' interceptions prove too costly in loss to Rams

Caleb Williams TD to Cole Kmet forces overtime vs. Rams

After Kyren Williams scored a touchdown around the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Rams had an opportunity to close out a win with some defensive stops. Chicago turned the ball over on downs on its first shot to tie the game. But after a Rams punt, the Bears got one last opportunity to save their season.

Williams got his team into Los Angeles territory, but with time ticking away and the Bears needing a touchdown, it appeared Chicago would need a miracle. An incompletion on 3rd & 4 set up a fourth down that would decide the game.

Of course, Williams came through, not just with a first down — but with a touchdown to Kmet that would force overtime. It came after being heavily pressured by the Rams' front, scrambling backward and running for his life, and hauling up a pass into the corner of the end zone that somehow landed in his tight end's hands.

"They've done it again!" NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico said of the Bears.

Here's another angle, showing how Williams was mere seconds away from taking a game-ending sack before his miraculous throw.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Williams' game-tying touchdown pass traveled 51.2 yards in the air, which is the longest completed pass by air distance in the red zone since 2016. It had a completion probability of 17.8%.

Kmet broke free from his defender in the end zone to haul in the massive Bears touchdown.

Stacey Dales might have had the best seat in the house for the play:

Caleb Williams TD pass reactions

Arguably the biggest highlight play of Williams' NFL career so far got plenty of buzz from fans, celebrities and other players across the league.

Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes left it to one word: "Awesome."

Here are more reactions from fans, media members and more:

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