Stafford steers Rams through snow, chaos

Maye fires Pats into AFC Championship

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Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams, right, hands the ball to Kyren Williams during the NFC Divisional Playoffs against the Chicago Bears. AFP

Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams snuffed out the Chicago Bears' latest wild comeback attempt to win 20-17 in overtime, as the New England Patriots also moved within one win of the Super Bowl in the NFL playoffs Sunday.

Having dramatically surrendered their lead with seconds remaining in regular time, the Rams gathered Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' third interception of the night, before Stafford stewarded his team into field goal range for a nerve-jangling victory.

It was a triumphant ending to a tough night for Stafford, in which the Most Valuable Player-tipped quarterback was bailed out by a Rams defence that stood firm in Chicago's 18F (-8C) snow blizzard, and Kyren Williams rushed for two touchdowns.

"It was crazy, it was back and forth," said Stafford. "We didn't play our best on offence, our defence dominated the game. It was unbelievable to watch."

"You'd love to come in here and throw for 450 [yards] and four touchdowns and do all that, but hey, find a way to win the game, survive and advance. And we did it."