Rams collide with resurgent Bears in divisional round matchup featuring high-powered offenses

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Ben Johnson spent plenty of time studying Sean McVay's offense, though not necessarily for a moment like this.

Back then, he wanted to know what worked for Jared Goff. Now, he'll try to stop Matthew Stafford. And the stakes are high with the Chicago Bears set to host the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional game on Sunday.

“(McVay) does a phenomenal job,” Johnson said. “He has ever since he’s gotten to LA. All of his teams are really well prepared. There’s no doubt that he’s super sharp in the offensive side, but I think how he does it as a head coach, bringing all three phases together is really critical to their success. I think he does a great job, knows how to speak to the team with the pulse of the team and get the most out of them.

"There’s a reason why they’re in it every year since he’s been there.”

Johnson was an assistant in Detroit when the the team kicked off a rebuild by trading Stafford to Los Angeles for Goff and several draft picks, including two first-rounders, following the 2021 season.

Now, after a successful run as the Lions' offensive coordinator, he has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in his first season as the Bears' head coach.

Chicago (12-6) went from worst to first in the NFC North and posted a winning record for the first time since the 2018 team won the division. Quarterback Caleb Williams took big steps in his second year for the Bears, who advanced in the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season by rallying for a 31-27 wild-card victory over rival Green Bay. They trailed by as much as 18 on the way to their seventh fourth-quarter comeback win, outscoring the Packers 25-6 in the final period.

The Rams (13-5), who won the Super Bowl four years ago, established themselves as championship contenders during an 11-3 start. But they needed Stafford to lead one of his vintage comebacks to beat Carolina last week. The All-Pro threw a perfectly-placed 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left, lifting the Rams to a 34-31 win.

Now, two teams with high-powered offenses and a flair for the dramatic are set to go at it. The winner will play Seattle or San Francisco next week for a spot in the Super Bowl.

“Ben does a good job of being able to create matchups,” McVay said. “They mix up their personnel. They’ve got backs that can obviously run the football, but they’ve got skills in the pass game with tight ends and receivers that can do the same thing. It’s a great challenge.”

The Rams are hoping right guard Kevin Dotson returns from a three-game absence with a sprained ankle to complete their optimal offensive line.

While Stafford and Puka Nacua get all the attention, Los Angeles’ line has been the foundation of the NFL’s most productive offense, clearing the way capably for Kyren Williams and Blake Corum while largely keeping Stafford upright long enough to get the ball to the record-setting Nacua or to NFL touchdown receptions leader Davante Adams.

The Bears were third in the NFL in rushing during the regular season. They're just not getting those big ground gains in recent weeks.

Chicago was the only team with two 750-yard rushers, with veteran D'Andre Swift running for 1,087 yards and rookie Kyle Monangai going for 783. But the Bears have struggled to run the ball the past two games.

Chicago fell into an early hole against Green Bay and finished with 93 yards rushing after being held to a season-low 65 in a loss to Detroit.

“Certainly, late in the season, we wanted that to pick up, playoffs, weather games like this," Johnson said. "You certainly want to be able to lean on your run game. So those are some elements we’re looking at. What can we do to help ignite that? It’s both efficient runs to stay on track and ahead of the chains and also explosive runs as well. Where can we find a few of those?”

Los Angeles football fans know all about Williams’ elusiveness from his two years at USC, and the Rams’ defensive front knows just how hard it will be to corral the star quarterback.

But the Rams’ 47 sacks in the regular season were tied for third among teams that made the playoffs, and their pass rush is likely their defense’s strength, with Jared Verse and Byron Young attacking from the edge while Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske apply pressure up the middle.

“We know how he can extend plays and scramble to pick up first downs,” Turner said. “It’s a big challenge to get him on the ground. That’s where so much of their explosives come from.”

Williams passed his first playoff test, setting a franchise playoff record by throwing for 361 yards and two late touchdowns.

He has gotten increasingly more comfortable in his first year under Johnson, throwing for a franchise-record 3,942 yards after a shaky rookie season. The No. 1 draft pick in 2024, Williams has a chance to join Sid Luckman (1941), Jim McMahon (1985) and Rex Grossman (2006) as the only Bears quarterbacks to win multiple playoff games in a single season. And, maybe, silence a few more doubters.

“It’s a little extra motivation in that sense," Williams said. “But it’s not for me to prove them wrong. I know who I am.”

The teams might want to bundle up — particularly the Rams. The National Weather Service is forecasting that temperatures will dip into the single digits Sunday.

AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates with head coach Sean McVay after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson watches during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks off the field after a win over the Carolina Panthers in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.

Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.

There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.

“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”

The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.

No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.

“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.

Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.

Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.

Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.

“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.

Brown is likely staying put.

While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.

Just not this season.

Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”

Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.

“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.

Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)