Kam Curl spurs Rams’ win against Bears

(News4usonline) – Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl had this assessment of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams prior to the team’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game at Soldier Field. 

“He has natural arm talent,” Curl said after a recent Rams practice. “He can throw the ball anywhere he wants to, when he wants to. He has good scrambling ability, you know. So, we have to be ready to plaster his receivers…Those are the top two things. He has a real good arm, and he can scramble real well.” 

Curl’s words turned out to be prophetically true as Williams did seemingly the impossible when he scrambled out of harm’s way from several Rams defenders with just enough space to heave a miracle throw to the endzone in the direction of his tight end Cole Kmet with time running out on Chicago’s season. 

Officially, it was called a 14-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds left in the game as the Rams were looking to finish off a then 17-10 advantage on the fourth down play. 

The improvisational skills by Williams allowed the second-year quarterback to get the Hail Mary pass off to Kmet, who outmuscled cornerback Cobie Durant on the play to haul in the throw to help the Bears tie the game and send the contest into overtime. 

For the game, Williams rushed the ball five times for 40 yards. He also completed 23 of 42 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns to show off his dual-threat skills. His incredulous throw at the end of the game will have people talking about the play for years to come. 

As wondrous as that play was for the Chicago faithful, Curl and the Rams got the last laugh in the extra session. Williams misfired on a pass to one of his receivers and Curl wound up with the ball in his hands for a game-turning interception. 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford would then lead the Rams down the field to put placekicker Harrison Mevis in position to kick a game-winning 42-yard field goal. Curl’s pick was one of three interceptions the Rams recorded against Williams and the Bears. 

Durant had the other two interceptions for the Rams. Curl’s pick, though, was the most costliest for Williams and the Bears. The Rams did not have a single turnover. Curl talked about how importance it was for the Rams to create and win the turnover battle against Chicago.

“It’s real important,” Curl said. “We all know the stat. The teams that win the turnover battle usually wins the game. In the playoffs, you know, turnovers are big. So, I feel like that’s going to play a big part in this game.”   

Being around the ball more was something that Curl had hope to do against Chicago. Aside from his game-saving interception, Curl had a monster performance against the Bears, recording 13 tackles in the Rams’ 20-17 overtime win. 

Curl’s big game was something that the sixth-year player was expecting considering the way he has played leading up to the Rams playing Chicago. In a Wild Card playoff game against Carolina, Curl came up with 10 tackles in the Rams’ 34-31 win. 

“I feel like I’ve been playing good,” Curl said. “I want to get my hands on the ball more, you know. That’s the plan this weekend, you know. Make some plays, help the team win the game.”

Cover photo: CHICAGO, IL – Courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams