The Ringer NFL Show Bears Run Ends, Seahawks-Rams Part 3, Patriots Hate, and What Now for C.J. Stroud?
Jan 19, 2026
Billy Gil, a Ringer contributor and NFL commentator, joins to unpack the dramatic NFL divisional round action. They react to the thrilling Rams-Bears overtime game, highlighting Caleb Williams' pivotal plays and the intricacies of game management. The duo dives into the quirks of football culture, like cayenne in socks for warmth. They also discuss the Patriots' impressive win over the Texans, Jared Stidham's surprising emergence, and weigh in on C.J. Stroud's struggles and the Texans' future plans.
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Bears' Season Is Progress Not Failure
- The Bears showed clear progress this season despite the overtime loss to the Rams.
- Sheil Kapadia and Billy Gil expect fans to remain optimistic about Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson moving forward.
Box Scores Can Hide The Drama
- The box score can misrepresent dramatic plays and effort, like Caleb Williams' deep touchdown credited as 14 yards.
- Billy Gil and Sheil Kapadia warn stats may understate a player's true impact in single plays.
Judge Game Calls By Context
- Evaluate coaching decisions by context, not just outcome; Ben Johnson's creativity was praised despite limited use in that game.
- Consider risky calls like going for two only when momentum and game state justify it, as discussed after the Bears' choices.