Late Saturday night in Chicago, a tightly contested NFC wild-card matchup concluded dramatically as Caleb Williams orchestrated a stunning comeback for the Chicago Bears against their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers. Williams' pivotal 25-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore with just 1:43 remaining proved decisive, propelling the Bears to a 31-27 win and advancing the team into the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Bears, champions of the NFC North with a 12-6 record, showcased resilience throughout a remarkable first season under the guidance of head coach Ben Johnson. This game marked their seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory, further emphasizing their poise and determination. Earlier in the season, Chicago had split two tight contests with Green Bay, underscoring the intensity of this longstanding rivalry.
Trailing 21-3 at halftime and further behind 21-6 going into the final quarter, Chicago managed to outscore the Packers 25-6 in the fourth quarter alone, overturning expectations and securing their first playoff win in 15 years. Williams, reflecting on the victory, credited belief in the coaching staff and teammates as critical factors: "True belief. Belief. That's all you need. You got belief in the coaches that they'll call the right play at the right time. You got belief in the players on the field that you're going to make the right play at the right time."
After debuting in the playoffs, Williams’ performance was a mixture of promise and moments of adjustment. Completing 24 of 48 passes for 361 yards along with two late-game touchdown throws, he also threw two interceptions but demonstrated ample composure in high-pressure situations. Rookie wide receiver Colston Loveland had a standout performance with a career-high eight receptions totaling 137 yards.
The game’s momentum swung dramatically in the fourth quarter. Chicago narrowed the score to 21-16 on a five-yard touchdown run by D’Andre Swift. The Packers responded with a significant 23-yard touchdown run-and-catch by rookie Matthew Golden, marking his first career touchdown and extending Green Bay’s lead to 27-16; however, kicker Brandon McManus missed the extra point wide left.
In response, Williams connected with Olamide Zaccheaus for an eight-yard touchdown pass followed by a two-point conversion pass to Loveland, bringing the Bears to within three points at 27-24 with just over four minutes left in the game. Green Bay attempted two field goals late in the game—missing both—first a 44-yard attempt and then a desperate end-zone pass after a botched snap and scramble by Jordan Love was deflected by Jaquan Brisker, effectively ending the Packers’ hopes.
The Packers, having started the season with high expectations due to acquiring two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas, suffered a late-season decline, losing their final five games. Parsons’ season ended prematurely with a knee injury in Week 15, impacting the Packers' defensive performance. Quarterback Jordan Love, returning from a helmet-to-helmet collision earlier in the season, threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns but was unable to close out the victory.
Defensive plays from both sides were notable. Ty’Ron Hopper intercepted Williams near the goal line in the third quarter, preventing a Bears score. On the Packers’ end, Jaquan Brisker’s deflection of Love’s final pass was critical in securing victory for Chicago.
Injuries affected both teams' lineups. The Bears lost linebacker T.J. Edwards to a broken fibula during the game and likely lost left tackle Ozzy Trapilo to a knee injury on the go-ahead scoring drive. Meanwhile, the Packers were without right tackle Zach Tom due to a knee injury and lost backup offensive lineman Jacob Monk in the first half due to a biceps injury. Cornerback Kyler Gordon returned for the Bears after being sidelined since Week 13.
Following the win, Bears coach Ben Johnson emphasized the team's perseverance: "We just keep plugging along. We keep fighting. We've been proving that this year. That's who we are, that's what we do." The victory builds upon the franchise's momentum and sets the stage for the Bears to host a divisional playoff game against either the Los Angeles Rams or the Philadelphia Eagles, pending the outcome of their upcoming matchup.
On the other side, Packers coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the shortcomings that ultimately cost his team the game: "I know we fought through a lot of adversity this year. Unfortunately, we didn't do enough to overcome that adversity. That's all of us collectively. We've got to do more." The Packers now enter the offseason facing the challenge of addressing these issues to return stronger next season.