The Chicago Bears pulled off a miracle. Trailing 21-6 entering the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers, Caleb Williams orchestrated an epic comeback in the final 15 minutes, securing a 31-27 victory and a ticket to the NFC Divisional Round.
The game, played in Chicago, pitted two fierce NFC North rivals against each other with a playoff berth on the line. An all-out battle was expected-and delivered.
The contest was intense but riddled with mistakes. The Bears nearly sabotaged their chances in the first half, committing penalty after penalty that almost proved costly.
Momentum shifted in the third quarter. Head coach Ben Johnson’s adjustments paid off, and it was the Packers who began to falter, opening the door for Williams.
Packers dominate early, Bears rally late
Jordan Love shredded the Bears’ defense in the first half with three touchdown passes: a seven-yarder to Christian Watson, an 18-yarder to Jayden Reed, and a 21-yarder to Rico Doubs.
Chicago stayed within reach thanks to kicker Cairo Santos, who nailed field goals from 27 yards in the first quarter, 34 yards in the third, and 51 yards in the fourth.
Williams finally came alive in the fourth quarter, connecting with D’Andre Swift for a five-yard touchdown. Love answered with a 23-yard strike to Matthew Golden, but McManus missed the extra point.
With the score 27-16 and just 6:36 remaining, Chicago’s hopes seemed slim. But Williams showed poise under pressure, hitting Olamide Zaccheaus for an eight-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion, and D.J. Moore for a 25-yard touchdown to complete the comeback.
McManus’s costly night
Packers veteran kicker Brandon McManus endured a nightmare performance, missing a 55-yard field goal in the second quarter, a fourth-quarter extra point, and a 44-yard attempt late in the game.
In the end, Love finished 24-of-46 for 323 yards and four touchdowns. Williams completed 24-of-48 for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
With the victory, the Bears advanced to the divisional round. Their next opponent will be determined Sunday by the outcome of the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
