CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears achieved a remarkable comeback Saturday night, defeating the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime. Quarterback Caleb Williams connected with DJ Moore for a 46-yard touchdown pass, capping off an improbable rally from a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.
“I knew it was good,” Williams said about the winning throw. “You”ve got that belief, that confidence, that swagger as an offense. It was pretty identical to practice. When the play gets called, it”s time to go hit it.”
The win allowed the Bears (11-4) to extend their lead in the NFC North to one and a half games over the Packers (9-5-1) with two games remaining. This victory also served as revenge for a previous loss at Lambeau Field just two weeks prior. It marked the sixth time this season that the Bears overcame a deficit in the final two minutes, showcasing their resilience as Green Bay had a win probability of 99% at one point.
This victory puts Chicago one step closer to its first playoff appearance since 2020, a significant achievement in the NFL”s longest-standing rivalry. The Bears have struggled against the Packers, with a record of 7-30 since 2008, including playoff games. They would secure a postseason berth if Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
“This is a special group,” said Bears head coach Ben Johnson. “You start feeling the belief coming together. It”s rare, and it really is.”
For the Packers, head coach Matt LaFleur expressed disappointment. “It should hurt because we all put a lot into this, and we had opportunities,” he noted. “You”re up two scores late in the game, and unfortunately, it flipped pretty quick.”
The Bears began their comeback when Cairo Santos kicked a 43-yard field goal, narrowing the score to 16-9 with just under two minutes remaining. Following an onside kick recovery by Josh Blackwell, the Bears tied the game with 24 seconds left as Williams connected with Jahdae Walker for a 6-yard touchdown despite facing an all-out blitz.
In overtime, the Packers faced a crucial fourth-and-1 at the Chicago 36-yard line, but backup quarterback Malik Willis fumbled the snap, allowing the Bears to take over. Four plays later, Moore caught the winning touchdown from Williams as Keisean Nixon defended him closely, igniting a celebration on the Bears” sideline. Just two weeks before, Nixon had intercepted a Williams pass in the end zone, sealing a Packers win.
Williams completed 19 of 34 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, tying Bo Nix“s NFL record for most fourth-quarter comebacks by a quarterback in their first two seasons. Moore had a standout performance with 97 receiving yards, while Rome Odunze missed his third consecutive game due to a foot injury.
Green Bay”s Jordan Love led two scoring drives before exiting the game due to a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit by Austin Booker. He completed 8 of 13 passes for 77 yards and had nine touchdown passes with only two interceptions in his previous five games against Chicago. Willis finished the game 9 of 11 for 121 yards and a touchdown, with Romeo Doubs catching a touchdown pass before injuring his wrist during the match.
Injuries for the Packers included Kristian Welch (ankle) and John FitzPatrick (Achilles tendon), while the Bears lost C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee) in the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, the Packers will host the Baltimore Ravens next Saturday, while the Bears will visit the San Francisco 49ers on December 28.
