Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Rams benefit from a missed call on Caleb Williams interception

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 8:48 AM ET

The Los Angeles Rams managed to benefit from a missed call on the very first drive of Sunday’s playoff game.

In the first quarter of their divisional playoff game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., the Rams began on defense as the Bears were able to get the ball all the way to the fringe of the red zone. On a 4th-and-2 play from the Rams’ 21-yard line, Chicago QB Caleb Williams fired a pass toward the end zone that ended up getting intercepted by Los Angeles cornerback Cobie Durant.

Referees miss call against Rams

Instant replay showed, though, that the referees missed what should have been a roughing-the-passer call against the Rams. Defensive end Kobie Turner smacked Williams in the helmet and head area right as Williams was letting go of the pass that was eventually intercepted.

I mean seriously. In what world is this not Roughing the Passer on Caleb Williams? Oh yeah… in the world where they’re playing the Rams. pic.twitter.com/aGLVZExDsi
— Ben (@TheHurricaneBen) January 18, 2026

Though the rule itself is a controversial one, according to the letter of the law, that was a clear roughing violation by Turner. Per the NFL rulebook, it is a roughing foul if “an opponent forcibly hits the quarterback’s head or neck area with his helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder.”

The Rams would go on to score a touchdown on their ensuing drive on a four-yard run by Kyren Williams, but the Bears answered back in the second quarter with a three-yard TD pass from Williams to DJ Moore to tie the score at 7-7. That said, the Rams were on the receiving end of some bad missed calls toward the end of the regular season, so maybe this was just nature’s way of evening things out.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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