Chicago, IL – In a game that will be etched into Chicago Bears lore for generations, second-year quarterback Caleb Williams engineered one of the most dramatic playoff comebacks in franchise history, rallying the Bears from an 18-point halftime deficit to defeat the rival Green Bay Packers 31-27 in the NFC Wild-Card Round on Saturday night at Soldier Field.
The victory marks the Bears’ first postseason win since the 2010 season and sends the NFC North champions (now 12-6) into the Divisional Round, where they will host either the Philadelphia Eagles or Los Angeles Rams next weekend. It also caps a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that has endured decades of frustration against their arch-nemesis Packers.
Trailing 21-3 at the break and 21-6 entering the fourth quarter, Chicago outscored Green Bay 25-6 in the final period. Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, finished 24-of-48 for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while adding 20 rushing yards. His defining moment came with 1:43 remaining: a pump-fake followed by a perfectly placed 25-yard touchdown strike to DJ Moore that gave the Bears their first lead since the opening minutes.
The duo’s connection echoed their Week 16 regular-season miracle — a 46-yard overtime TD to clinch the NFC North — turning Soldier Field into a cauldron of delirium. Moore, who caught the go-ahead score near the pylon, became the first player in NFL history with a game-tying or go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes against the same opponent in both the regular season and playoffs.
Williams’ performance was far from flawless early — he struggled with consistency, throwing two interceptions on fourth-down gambles — but he delivered when it mattered most. He led three consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth, including an 8-yard scoring pass to Olamide Zaccheaus and a two-point conversion toss to rookie tight end Colston Loveland. The Bears’ defense stiffened in the second half, holding Green Bay scoreless until late, and sealed the win when Packers QB Jordan Love‘s final heave fell incomplete as time expired.
Love had a strong outing for Green Bay (9-7-1), completing 24-of-46 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns, but the Packers couldn’t overcome their own collapse. The Bears’ comeback erased a 21-3 halftime lead built on Love’s early scoring strikes to Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed.
The win is a testament to head coach Ben Johnson‘s first-year impact. Hired after the 2024 season, Johnson transformed the Bears’ offense, helping Williams break the franchise single-season passing record with 3,942 yards (27 TDs, 7 INTs) during the regular season. Chicago’s “Cardiac Bears” identity — built on seven fourth-quarter comebacks in the regular season — proved unbreakable in the playoffs.
“We’re here, and we’re going to be here for a while,” Williams declared postgame, donning a foam cheese-grater hat in the locker room as a playful jab at the defeated Packers. The quote, delivered amid celebration with Moore’s young son, encapsulated the shift in the NFC North’s power dynamic.
For the first time in over a decade, the Monsters of the Midway are not just relevant — they’re dangerous. As Chicago prepares for the Divisional Round, the city is buzzing with belief that this young core, led by Williams, could be the foundation of sustained success.
Bear Down — the long wait is over, and the next chapter is just beginning. 🐻⬛️