In a stunning reversal of fortune, the Chicago Bears mounted an 18-point comeback to defeat their historic rivals, the Green Bay Packers, 31-27 in a wildcard playoff game on Saturday night. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, in his postseason debut, was the catalyst for a remarkable fourth-quarter surge that secured the Bears' first playoff victory in 15 years.
A Tale of Two Halves at Soldier Field
The game appeared to be a one-sided affair for the first three quarters. The Packers, led by Jordan Love, dominated early, building a commanding 21-3 halftime lead that stretched to 21-6 heading into the final period. Love, returning from injury, connected with Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed for first-half touchdowns, silencing the home crowd at Soldier Field.
Chicago's offence, meanwhile, sputtered. Williams threw two interceptions, including one near the goal line by Ty'Ron Hopper in the third quarter, as the Bears struggled to find any rhythm against a determined Packers defence.
The Williams-inspired Fourth Quarter Onslaught
The narrative flipped dramatically in the fourth quarter. The Bears, showing the resilience that has defined their season under coach Ben Johnson, erupted for 25 points. The fightback began with a 5-yard touchdown run from D’Andre Swift, cutting the deficit to 21-16.
Green Bay responded swiftly, with rookie Matthew Golden scoring an impressive 23-yard touchdown. However, kicker Brandon McManus missed the extra point, leaving the score at 27-16. This proved to be a critical moment. The Bears capitalised, driving 76 yards for a score, with Williams finding Olamide Zaccheaus for an 8-yard touchdown and then hitting rookie Colston Loveland for a crucial two-point conversion, making it a three-point game at 27-24.
After McManus missed a 44-yard field goal that would have extended Green Bay's lead, Williams took over. He engineered the game-winning drive, culminating in a 25-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open DJ Moore with just 1:43 remaining on the clock, giving Chicago its first lead of the night at 31-27.
A Dramatic Final Stand and Historic Implications
Jordan Love had one final chance, moving the Packers into Chicago territory. On a dramatic third down from the 28-yard line, Bears safety Jaquan Brisker broke up a pass in the end zone as time expired, sparking wild celebrations on the Chicago sideline.
The victory marks a significant shift in the NFL's oldest rivalry. The Bears have now beaten the Packers three times in their last five meetings, a stark contrast to Green Bay's historical dominance. For Chicago, it was their seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory of the season and propels them into the divisional round next weekend.
Williams finished the night with 361 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Loveland was a standout with 8 catches for 137 yards. For the Packers, the loss caps a disappointing end to a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations, finishing with five consecutive defeats.
