Bears pull off improbable rally and stun Packers, 22-16 in overtime

Sean Hammons and Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune on Dec 21, 2025

Published in Football

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CHICAGO — Caleb Williams lofted a 46-yard touchdown pass to receiver DJ Moore for a walk-off touchdown in overtime, giving the Chicago Bears a 22-16 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night at Soldier Field.

In stunning fashion, the Bears erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit with a furious comeback.

There were heroes all over the place. Special teams ace Josh Blackwell recovered an onside kick with just less than two minutes remaining in the the fourth quarter. Williams then led the Bears on a quick scoring drive to force overtime. With 28 seconds remaining, Williams (19 of 34, 250 yards) connected with undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker for the tying touchdown. It was Walker’s first career TD, and the game went to overtime.

On a night when Packers quarterback Jordan Love exited the game with a concussion, the Packers had to lean on backup Malik Willis. Willis fumbled the fourth-and-1 on the opening possession of overtime. The Packers recovered the ball, but the Bears took over on downs.

The Bears then needed only points — a field goal would’ve been enough for the win. Instead, Williams lofted an epic touchdown to Moore.

The Bears improved to 11-4 and maintained control of the NFC North Division over the Packers (9-5-1).

Here’s how the game unfolded.

Halftime

Love exited the game after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit midway through the second quarter. Love was evaluated for a concussion and ruled out at halftime.

Willis entered the game and immediately led the Packers downfield for a field goal that put them ahead 6-0. That proved to be the score at halftime.

On the play when Love exited the game, Bears defensive end Austin Booker sacked Love but drew a flag for a helmet-to-helmet hit on the quarterback. It was Booker’s second roughing-the-passer penalty. He also drew one on the opening possession of the game.

Love remained down on the field for several minutes. He eventually popped up and ran to the medical tent on the Packers sideline. After several minutes in the tent, Love left the sideline with medical personnel and headed for the locker room.

To start the game, the Bears and the Packers traded turnovers on downs. The Bears defense turned the Packers away on the opening possession. Facing a fourth-and-1 at the 7-yard line, the Packers left their offense on the field. Love threw a pass toward the corner of the end zone intended for receiver Christian Watson, but the two couldn’t connect.

The Bears then drove down the field fairly easily before they faced a fourth-and-1 at the Packers 4. The Bears lined up in a wildcat formation with the quarterback out wide. Tight end Cole Kmet went in motion and settled under center where the quarterback normally would be. Kmet gestured as if to call an audible and while he did so, center Drew Dalman snapped the ball through Kmet’s legs intended for running back Kyle Monangai.

The snap sailed over Monangai’s head for a loss of 18 yards and a turnover on downs. That was the closest the Bears came to scoring in the half.

Packers kicker Brandon McManus made field goals from 26 and 22 yards.

The Bears totaled 126 yards of offense in the half. Their three offensive possessions ended with the turnover on downs and two punts. The Bears offense ran just 20 plays in the half. Williams went 5 for 9 for 65 yards. Love was 8 for 13 for 77 yards when he left the game.

End of regulation

The Bears recovered an onside kick with just less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and Williams quickly led the offense down field for a game-tying touchdown in the final minute of regulation.

On fourth-and-4 at the Packers 6 and 28 seconds left on the clock, the Packers sent a blitz at Williams. The quarterback lofted a pass for undrafted rookie receiver Walker, who was completely unguarded in the back corner of the end zone. The touchdown tied the game 16-16 to force overtime.

Moments earlier, Bears special teamer Blackwell recovered the onside kick after Cairo Santos made a 43-yard field goal to cut the lead to 16-9.