Bears Walk-Off the Packers to End the Season 5-12
Game Recap
It sounds like a broken record at this point, but the Bears got off to a slow start against the Packers.
Chicago went three-and-out on their first drive, cementing a season where they failed to score a touchdown on any of their 17 opening possessions. They went three-and-out on 11 of their 17 opening drives this year and by first quarter’s end, the Bears’ 27 first quarter points all season marked their lowest total for the first quarter since the NFL moved to a 16-game schedule in 1978.
Chicago’s lone saving grace of the first 15 minutes Sunday was a beautifully executed fake punt return by Josh Blackwell, who took it 94 yards to the house to give the Bears an early 7-0 lead.
Green Bay’s Brandon McManus added a 37-yard field goal on the Packers’ next possession to make it 7-3, but Chicago’s defense came through with a turnover to set up their next score.
Jaylon Johnson employed the popular peanut punch to force a Jayden Reed fumble with ten seconds left in the first quarter. TJ Edwards recovered the fumble and 43 seconds later, D’Andre Swift followed a 15-yard catch from DJ Moore with a 4-yard TD run to give Chicago a 14-3 lead.
Fourth-Quarter Comeback
The Packers added nine points in the backhalf of the fourth quarter thanks to 21-yard Emmanuel Wilson TD run and McManus’s third field goal of the afternoon to take a one-point lead with 55 seconds remaining.
But Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams led a fourth-quarter comeback victory for the first time in his career. He hit Rome Odunze for a 15-yard completion then followed it up two plays later with a 4-yard scramble to move the ball to Green Bay’s 46-yard line.
Next, Chicago used their final timeout to stop the clock with 28 seconds remaining, but an illegal shift penalty on third down moved them back five yards. It didn’t matter. Williams hit Moore for 18 yards over the middle before a mad scramble up to the line allowed the Bears rookie quarterback to spike the ball with three seconds on the clock.
Cairo Santos drilled a 51-yard field goal as time expired and the Bears walked away winners, 24-22.
Williams Passing Records
Williams finished his rookie season 351-for-562 (62.5%) with 3,541 yards, 20 TD passes, and six interceptions. His 20 TD passes is the most ever by a Chicago rookie quarterback. Williams’ 3,541 yards passing is the fifth-most in a single season in franchise history.
NFL Draft Positioning
With the Bears beating Green Bay and the New Orleans Saints losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago may be sliding back one spot in draft positioning. According to Chicago Sports Network’s Alex Shapiro, whether the Bears stay at pick nine or get leap-frogged by the Saints will be determined by strength of schedule (SOS). Heading into Week 18, Chicago had a.555 SOS, while New Orleans had a.505 SOS.
Injury Tent
Green Bay suffered two significant injuries that could impact their playoff matchup at the Philadelphia Eagles next weekend. Christian Watson and Jordan Love both left the game on the same drive in the first half and did not return. Watson walked off the field before being taken back to the locker room with what appeared to be a knee injury. Love injured his throwing hand/elbow affecting his grip on the football.
Conclusion
The Bears’ walk-off win against the Packers marks a turning point in their season, as they finish the regular season 5-12. The win brings a sense of redemption for the team, especially for Caleb Williams, who led the comeback victory. The team will now focus on the draft and rebuilding for the future.
FAQs
Q: How did the Bears finish the regular season?
A: The Bears finished the regular season 5-12.
Q: Who led the Bears’ comeback victory?
A: Caleb Williams, the Bears’ rookie quarterback, led the comeback victory.
Q: What are Caleb Williams’ passing records for the season?
A: Williams finished his rookie season 351-for-562 (62.5%) with 3,541 yards, 20 TD passes, and six interceptions.
Q: Will the Bears stay at pick nine in the draft?
A: According to Chicago Sports Network’s Alex Shapiro, whether the Bears stay at pick nine or get leap-frogged by the Saints will be determined by strength of schedule (SOS).
