Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 18): Bears 24, Packers 22 – Long FG Stuns Packers at Lambeau
The Bears entered the final game of the regular season on a 10-game losing streak and facing a playoff team on the road. That opponent, their most hated rivals, the Packers, who they hadn’t beaten in six seasons. So of course, Chicago won the game on a 51-yard field goal from their much maligned kicker in sub-freezing temperatures.
The Bears took a very rare early lead thanks to an expert piece of misdirection on a first quarter punt return. Borrowing a play from the Jeff Fisher era St. Louis Rams the punt return unit pretended the kick was headed towards the right side of the field. In actuality, the ball went up the left side where Josh Blackwell stood completely by himself and raced 94 yards for a touchdown return to make it 7-0.
The Packers kicked a field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3 after the first quarter. Wide receiver Jayden Reed fumbled at his own 34 and the Bears recovered setting up a 4-yard touchdown run by D’Andre Swift for a 14-3 advantage. Green Bay responded, despite losing starting quarterback Jordan Love to an elbow injury, with a TD from running back Josh Jacobs and a field goal for a 14-13 halftime score.
Chicago struggled on offense for most of the game but D.J. Moore made some magic tiptoeing down the sideline for a 32-yard touchdown to put the road team on top 21-13. The Packers, still fighting for the number six seed in the NFC playoffs, would not give up and backup running back Emanuel Wilson broke a TD run. The two-point conversion try failed and Chicago clung to a 21-19 lead.
Green Bay got the ball back late and second-string quarterback Malik Willis got them in position for kicker Brandon McManus to drill a 54-yard go ahead field goal with just 55 seconds left. The Bears appeared destined for yet another heartbreaking loss but Caleb Williams came to life completing a couple of long passes and setting up Cairo Santos for a long FG attempt. Improbably, after all of his problems making long field goals, Santos made the kick and Chicago was victorious 24-22. (Box score)
Why the Bears Won
Special teams, which has been a huge problem most of the season had a terrific game Sunday. The punt return and a rare 50+ yard field goal was the difference.
Key Moment
Williams hit Moore on a 18-yard pass with just 15 seconds left and the Bears spiked the ball with just two seconds remaining to set up the game-winning field goal.
Stats That Matter
- Not a great game for Williams with just 146 passing yards but he was clutch at the end of the game on the winning drive.
- The Bears had just 224 total yards on Sunday and yet they were able to win.
Bottom Line
This game did not mean anything for Chicago but it was nice to avoid an 11-game losing streak. Probably even nicer was beating the Packers and costing them a chance for a higher seed in the playoffs. Caleb Williams, despite the struggles and the lack of blocking in front of him, shows in moments like the final two minutes Sunday that he could be an impact quarterback. Now it’s time for the Bears organization to start demonstrating some professionalism and build a serious contender around him.
Next Up
The off-season has officially begun in Chicago and hopefully a new look Bears team will show up at training camp this July.
