Chicago Bears Score and Recap (Week 14): Packers 28, Bears 21 – Second Half Comeback Falls Short at Lambeau
The Bears played their biggest game of the season Sunday at a freezing cold Lambeau Field with first place in the NFC North on the line. They fell behind the Packers in the first half before battling back to tie the score but the home team had the last laugh scoring in the final five minutes to get the win.
Green Bay got the opening score of the game after a scoreless first quarter. Jordan Love connected with Christian Watson for a 23-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 early in the second quarter. Chicago responded with a long drive but had to settle for a short Cairo Santos field goal to bring them within 7-3.
Love dialed up a deep shot to speedy receiver Bo Melton, who snagged it for a 45-yard touchdown just after the two minute warning. The Packers held a 14-3 halftime lead and the Bears had a grand total of 77 yards of offense in the half.
Caleb Williams and company came out of the break looking like a completely different team offensively. Chicago drove right down the field in their first third quarter possession with WR Olamide Zaccheaus making a great diving catch on a 1-yard touchdown. Running back Kyle Monangai picked up the two point conversion and the road team was behind 14-11.
Green Bay wasted no time responding with a quick slant to Watson who went completely untouched for a 41-yard TD. Another long Bears drive ended with a 41-yard Santos FG which made the score 21-14 entering the fourth quarter.
Williams was really feeling it in the second half and combined with a very effective running attack to move Chicago into the red zone midway through the fourth quarter. Tight end Colston Loveland came open for a 1-yard touchdown reception that evened the score at 21 with eight minutes left.
Unfortunately, the Packers and their big play offense came through yet again on the ensuing possession. This time it was a 21-yard run by Josh Jacobs that set up a shorter touchdown from the star running back to give his team a 28-21 advantage with just three minutes left.
The Bears would not go quietly however and drove deep into Green Bay territory in the final two minutes of the game. The contest came down to a 4th and one inside the 10 yard line but Williams was intercepted by CB Keisean Nixon in the end zone and the Packers survived 28-21. (Box score)
Why the Bears Lost
The defense just could not stop Green Bay from getting big plays throughout the afternoon. The offense’s slow start in the first half also did not help.
Key Moment
The Bears called a roll out for Williams on the final play of the game and forced him to throw against his body. In hindsight, it probably would have been better to go with a run but it’s easy to say that after the fact.
Stats That Matter
- Williams played much better after halftime and had 186 yards two touchdowns overall.
- The Bears combined for 138 rushing yards and were getting some pretty big chunks in the second half.
- Luther Burden had four catches for 67 yards filling in as the number one receiver for Rome Odunze.
Bottom Line
The Bears are absolutely ahead of schedule this season and they hung right in with one of the best teams in the NFC Sunday. They just put themselves in too big a hole early to come all the way back. It’s important for Chicago to take care of business against the Browns this week to set up another showdown with the Packers in Week 16.
Next Up
The aforementioned game against Cleveland at Soldier Field is Sunday at 12:00pm CT on FOX.
