Divisional Round Sunday Recap: Patriots handle Texans, Rams outlast Bears in OT

Summary of Divisional Round Sunday Recap: Patriots handle Texans, Rams outlast Bears in OT

by The Athletic

1h 0m•January 19, 2026
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Overview of Divisional Round Sunday Recap: Patriots handle Texans, Rams outlast Bears in OT

This episode of The Athletic Football Show (hosted by Robert Mays with Derek Lassen and Dave Hellman) recaps the Divisional Round games: Rams 30, Bears (OT) and Patriots 28, Texans 16. The hosts break down game-deciding moments, big performances, coaching decisions, and the broader implications for the quarterbacks and teams involved — especially Caleb Williams (Bears) and C.J. Stroud (Texans). They balance tactical analysis (pressures, coverage, play-calling) with season-level perspective (Bears’ progress under Ben Johnson; Patriots’ defense arriving at peak form).

Key takeaways

  • Bears played an outstanding defensive game but lost in heartbreaking fashion in OT after several small “sliding-door” moments and a late overtime interception by Caleb Williams.
  • Rams executed late with veteran Matthew Stafford and top receivers; critical conversions (e.g., Puka Nacua) and a clutch Adams touchdown won it.
  • Patriots dominated defensively again, forcing turnovers and pressure, and eked out a win over a visibly struggling Texans offense led by a poor C.J. Stroud performance.
  • C.J. Stroud’s pocket play and decision-making were alarming; hosts speculate about changes in his playstyle post-concussion and the impact of losing run-game/receiving help.
  • Despite the Bears’ loss, hosts are bullish on Chicago’s trajectory — young secondary emerged, offense shows promise under Ben Johnson, and Caleb Williams has high variance but high upside.

Bears vs. Rams — game breakdown

  • Final: Rams defeat Bears in overtime (dramatic, gut‑punch ending).
  • Bears defense: Exceptional overall performance. Key contributors: Jaquan Brisker (best game of his season), Kyler Gordon, Cam Curl, Kevin Byard, C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The secondary dominated large stretches and disrupted McVay’s usual offensive balance.
  • Caleb Williams: High-variance performance — explosive plays and several critical mistakes (three interceptions, including the OT pick). Strong pre-snap command but some poor post-snap reads/accuracy in cold conditions.
  • Critical moments:
    • Several contested/50–50 catches that didn’t go the Bears’ way (drops/glanced-off hands).
    • Turnover luck that favored the Bears all season didn’t hold — a few strip sacks and fumbles bounced Rams’ way.
    • Coaching/clock management: debate over Bears’ fourth‑down calls and Sean McVay’s late-game decision to run/knuckle down (criticism for kneel/run plays instead of aggressive plays with a potential MVP QB).
  • Big-picture: Hosts view the season as a major success for Chicago — 11 wins, clear offensive direction under Ben Johnson, a promising rookie QB in Williams, and a young nucleus to build around despite the painful loss.

Patriots vs. Texans — game breakdown

  • Final: Patriots 28, Texans 16 (Patriots head to Denver for AFC Championship).
  • Game character: Extremely odd stat lines — many turnovers and low drive conversion rates; yet Patriots found three touchdown drives and benefited hugely from defensive scoring/turnovers.
  • Patriots defense: Dominant again — creative pressure scheme, smart DB play (Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones) and consistent ability to disrupt. Hosts credit adjustments from the Wild Card win and improved pass-rush/pressure blends.
  • Patriots offense: Scored on three high‑leverage touchdown drives (tight throws/completions to Stefan Diggs and Kayshon Boutte, among others), but otherwise had trouble sustaining drives — unusual efficiency distribution.
  • C.J. Stroud/Texans offense: Collapsed — four interceptions (including a pick-six), poor pocket play, late throws, and absence of a running game (22 carries for 48 yards). Hosts discuss possible post-concussion changes (less comfortable extending plays), poor situational awareness, and the compounded effect of injuries to reliable targets.
  • Texans defenders (Will Anderson et al.): Still excellent and repeatedly pressured/stripped the QB; their pass rush was a persistent problem for the Patriots, even though it didn’t ultimately decide the game.
  • Concerns going forward: Drake Maye’s ball security (fumbles in recent games) and whether the Patriots can handle elite pass rushers (Broncos/Seahawks/Rams matchups loom).

Notable player & coach notes

  • Caleb Williams (Bears): Not yet "there" — shows elite flashes and command pre-snap but needs post‑snap smoothing, short-yardage reliability, and better late-game decision-making.
  • Jaquan Brisker (Bears): Season-best game; impending free agency will be a notable offseason storyline.
  • Ben Johnson (Bears HC/OC pedigree): Hosts emphasize Ben Johnson’s track record (consistently high offensive DVOA in recent years) and praise the offensive infrastructure and offensive-line play as reasons for optimism.
  • Matthew Stafford (Rams): Came through in big moments with veteran throws (e.g., Adams TD).
  • Sean McVay (Rams HC): Criticized for some late-game conservative choices (running/kneeling instead of playing aggressively with Stafford), though outcome favored the Rams.
  • C.J. Stroud (Texans): Hosts worry about a trend of frantic pocket play, decreased comfort extending plays, and accuracy/decision lapses. Possibility of this being related to post‑concussion changes is raised.
  • Patriots defense: Now viewed as a legitimate top‑flight unit — pressure variety and corner play have jumped to a new level.
  • Drake Maye (Patriots QB): Productive drives but turnover/fumble history is a concern if facing top pass rushes.

Memorable quotes & insights

  • “This is the most fun I’ve ever had being a Bears fan.” — captures the emotional upside of Chicago’s season despite the loss.
  • Ben Johnson’s track record: hosts highlight Johnson as the architect of consistently top-five offensive systems (weighted DVOA) in recent years — a key reason for optimism.
  • On Stroud: hosts note the difference in his play pre- and post-concussion — more comfortable extending plays earlier, now more frantic, which might explain recent slide.

What to watch next (implications & preview)

  • AFC Championship: Patriots at Broncos (Patriots’ defense vs. Broncos’ environment; Patriots opened as favorites — watch pass rush matchups).
  • NFC side: Rams vs. Seahawks (hosts are excited about this matchup; feel a Rams–Seahawks NFC title game is compelling).
  • Bears offseason: free-agent decisions (e.g., Jaquan Brisker), development of Caleb Williams, and whether the team can build on offensive progress without heavy regression.
  • Texans & C.J. Stroud: monitor medical/film reports, offensive scheme adjustments, and whether the Texans can reintroduce a functional run game and reliable receiving options.
  • Patriots: keep watching their defensive continuity and whether Drake Maye’s ball security issues reappear against elite pass rushes.

Bottom line

  • Two very different narratives: the Bears’ loss is a brutally close, emotionally charged end to a breakthrough season that still leaves reason for optimism; the Patriots’ win reinforces the idea that their defense is peaking and can carry them deep even when the offense looks inconsistent. C.J. Stroud’s slump is the biggest quarterback storyline coming out of the weekend and will shape Texans evaluations this offseason.

(Hosts promised deeper postmortems and team-specific looks — Bears, Texans, Bills, 49ers — in follow-up episodes, plus coaching notes like Kevin Stefanski’s new role in Atlanta.)