Chicago Bears Score and Recap (NFC Wild Card): Bears 31, Packers 27 – Biggest Playoff Comeback in Team History as Chicago Advances

The Bears did in the playoffs what they did throughout the regular season and fell way behind in the first half of their Wild Card game against the Packers at Soldier Field Saturday night. Then they staged another one of their furious rallies in the fourth quarter, this time erasing an 18-point deficit to stun Green Bay with the largest postseason comeback in team history.

Chicago had a successful drive in their opening possession with Cairo Santos kicking a 27-yard field goal after a nearly 8 minute march. Packers QB Jordan Love absolutely shredded the secondary in the first half beginning with a 7-yard TD pass to Christian Watson to put his team ahead 7-3.

After Caleb Williams was intercepted on fourth down near the goal line, Love connected for a second touchdown pass from 18 yards out to Jayden Reed. WR Romeo Doubs collected a third touchdown after the Bears were stopped on downs in their own territory and it was 21-3 at the half.

Santos hit a field goal in the third quarter and fourth quarter to cut the margin to 21-9 as Chicago’s defense began to tighten up after halftime. D’Andre Swift finally got the home team into the end zone with a 6-yard run and it was suddenly just 21-16 with 10 minutes left.

At that point, it appeared Green Bay got the backbreaking touchdown when Love through his fourth TD of the game to Matthew Golden to restore their two score advantage 27-16. The Bears did not back down however and scored a touchdown on a 8-yard pass to wide out Olamide Zaccheaus followed by a two point conversion to tight end Colston Loveland to get them within 27-24.

Williams and company got the ball back with three minutes left after Packers kicker Brandon McManus missed a field goal. Chicago moved quickly down the field and dramatically went ahead when the young quarterback hit a wide-open D.J. Moore for a 25-yard touchdown that sent Soldier Field into a frenzy.

Love still had one more chance with just over a minute left on the clock and drove into Bears territory but ran into trouble at about the 30 yard line. A desperate fourth down throw fell incomplete and Chicago sealed an improbable 31-27 victory. (Box score)

Why the Bears Won

The defense came to life after a rough first half and Williams proved he was clutch in the playoffs as well as during the regular season.

Key Moment

The Bears did not fold when they went behind 27-16 and raced down the field to get back within a single score and rode that momentum to victory.

Stats That Matter

• Caleb was outstanding in the second half and was the victim of several dropped passes. Throwing for 361 yards and two touchdowns Saturday.
• Loveland was an absolute beast with eight catches for 137 yards.
• Moore made up for a critical drop earlier in the game–winning drive with the touchdown.

Bottom Line

The Bears have not made it easy all year long but they keep winning and that’s all that matters right now. This was their first playoff win in 15 years, it has been a long time coming. No matter what happens the rest of the postseason Chicago is clearly on the right track with this coach and quarterback and the NFC is definitely wide open this season so anything is possible the next couple weeks.

Next Up

The Bears move on to the NFC Divisional round where they will play either the Los Angeles Rams or the Philadelphia Eagles depending on tomorrow’s results.