Miracle on the Lakefront: Williams Erases 18-Point Deficit to Stun Packers

Key Takeaways

• Final Score: Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27.
• The History: This marks Chicago’s first playoff win since 2010 and their largest postseason comeback ever (overcoming a 21-3 deficit).
• The Hero: Rookie sensation Caleb Williams threw for 361 yards and 2 fourth-quarter touchdowns.
• The Dagger: A 25-yard touchdown strike to DJ Moore with 1:43 remaining sealed the game.

CHICAGO — The script was written. The Packers were cruising. The crowd at Soldier Field had fallen into a cold, familiar silence.

Then Caleb Williams ripped the script in half.

In a performance that will be replayed in Chicago bars for decades, the Bears’ quarterback engineered a stunning fourth-quarter explosion, turning a 27-16 deficit with seven minutes left into a 31-27 victory. The win doesn’t just advance Chicago to the Divisional Round; it exorcises the demons of a rivalry that has haunted this city for a generation.

From Blowout to Brawl

Make no mistake: for three quarters, Green Bay owned the night. Jordan Love was clinical early, slicing through the Bears’ secondary to build a commanding 21-3 halftime lead. The conditions—a swirling “snow globe” game on the lakefront—seemed to favor the Packers’ ground attack.

But the momentum shifted violently in the final frame. The Bears’ defense, led by Montez Sweat, forced a critical three-and-out, giving the ball back to Williams.

That’s when the magic happened. Williams didn’t just manage the game; he took it over. He connected on throws that defied logic, including a 40-yard scramble drill completion to Rome Odunze that set up the comeback.

The Drive That Changed Everything

Trailing 27-24 with under three minutes to play, the Bears faced a legacy-defining moment. Williams marched the offense 75 yards in just four plays. He stepped up in a collapsing pocket and fired a laser to DJ Moore, who broke a tackle and danced into the end zone for the go-ahead 25-yard score.

“I told the guys in the huddle, ‘We aren’t losing this game. Not today. Not here.’ We just kept fighting. The city deserves this.” — Caleb Williams, Post-game Press Conference

Stat Sheet Stuffers

The numbers paint the picture of a tale of two halves.

• Caleb Williams: 24/35, 361 Passing Yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs (both in 1st half)
• DJ Moore: 8 Receptions, 124 Yards, 1 Game-Winning TD
• Jordan Love: 210 Passing Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT (final play)
• Third Down Efficiency: Bears (8/12), Packers (3/10)

What’s Next: The Divisional Round Awaits

The Bears (12-6) won’t have long to celebrate. As the lowest remaining seed in the NFC bracket, they now prepare for a massive test. If the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the San Francisco 49ers later today, Chicago will travel to the City of Brotherly Love. If the 49ers win, the Bears will head west to face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks.

But for tonight, Chicago isn’t worrying about next week. They are celebrating the night the “Packers Curse” was finally broken.