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Bears Shock Packers with Stunning Overtime Comeback at Soldier Field
A Rivalry Game for the Ages
The Chicago Bears delivered one of the most dramatic moments of their season by stunning the Green Bay Packers 22–16 in overtime, completing an improbable comeback in the NFL’s longest-running rivalry. Trailing by 10 points late in the fourth quarter and facing near-certain defeat, Chicago flipped the outcome with poise, precision, and belief.
The win pushed the Bears to 11–4, extended their lead in the NFC North, and brought them within striking distance of their first postseason appearance since 2020.
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Caleb Williams Delivers When It Matters Most
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams authored another defining chapter in his young career. Williams completed 19 of 34 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns, capping the night with a spectacular 46-yard touchdown strike to DJ Moore in overtime.
Williams said he knew the moment the ball left his hand that the pass would find its mark, crediting preparation and confidence built through practice. With the performance, Williams recorded his eighth career fourth-quarter comeback, tying an NFL record for quarterbacks in their first two seasons.
Late Fourth-Quarter Rally Turns the Tide
Chicago’s comeback began with a 43-yard field goal by Cairo Santos, cutting the deficit to 16–9 with less than two minutes remaining. The Bears then executed a successful onside kick, recovered by Josh Blackwell, giving them a final lifeline.
On fourth down with 24 seconds left, Williams beat an all-out blitz and floated a six-yard touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker in the corner of the end zone. Head coach Ben Johnson elected to kick the extra point rather than attempt a two-point conversion, sending the game into overtime.
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Overtime Drama Seals the Win
Green Bay had a chance to respond in overtime, but backup quarterback Malik Willis fumbled the snap on a fourth-and-1 play at the Chicago 36-yard line. The Bears quickly capitalized.
Four plays later, Williams connected with Moore for the game-winning touchdown despite tight coverage from Keisean Nixon. The play sparked a euphoric celebration at Soldier Field and completed Chicago’s sixth comeback win of the season after trailing in the final two minutes.
DJ Moore Redeems a Painful Memory
The overtime touchdown carried extra meaning. Two weeks earlier, Nixon intercepted Williams in the end zone to seal a Packers win. This time, Moore beat Nixon on a play installed specifically for this matchup.
Moore described the moment as a perfect replication of a practice rep, emphasizing how preparation translated directly into execution under pressure.
Packers Falter After Strong Position
Green Bay controlled much of the game and held a 99% win probability late in the fourth quarter. Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the disappointment, noting how quickly the game flipped after the Packers had built a two-score lead.
The loss dropped Green Bay to 9–5–1 and tightened the NFC North race with just two games remaining.
Jordan Love Injury Shifts Momentum
Already dealing with injuries, the Packers lost starting quarterback Jordan Love in the second quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit. Love exited with a concussion after completing 8 of 13 passes for 77 yards and leading two scoring drives.
Malik Willis stepped in and finished 9 of 11 for 121 yards and a touchdown, but his overtime fumble proved costly. Romeo Doubs contributed 84 receiving yards and a touchdown before injuring his wrist.
Injuries Impact Both Teams
Green Bay entered the game without Micah Parsons, who suffered a season-ending knee injury the previous week. Additional injuries included linebacker Kristian Welch and tight end John FitzPatrick.
Chicago also felt the toll, with defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson exiting in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury. Despite this, the Bears extended their home winning streak to six games.
Playoff Picture Comes into Focus
The victory gave Chicago a crucial edge in the NFC North and moved them closer to clinching a playoff spot. The Bears could officially secure a berth depending on the outcome of other games, including Detroit’s matchup with Pittsburgh.
Green Bay will attempt to regroup quickly with a tough home matchup looming against Baltimore, while Chicago heads west to face San Francisco.
Conclusion: Belief Defines the Bears
This win was about more than standings or statistics. It was about belief, preparation, and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Chicago refused to fold when defeat seemed inevitable, turning a rivalry game into a defining statement.
For the Bears, moments like this reshape seasons — and sometimes franchises. With confidence surging and the playoffs within reach, Chicago has shown it can thrive under pressure and seize the biggest moments when they matter most.
Sources
CBS Sports / Associated Press Game Recap
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20251220_GB@CHI/
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