Bears end sad season with a bang as the rally for win against Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. (CBS/AP) — Caleb Williams drove Chicago to Cairo Santos' 51-yard field goal as time expired and the Bears snapped a 10-game skid with a 24-22 victory over the playoff-bound Green Bay Packers, who lost quarterback Jordan Love and wide receiver Christian Watson to injuries on Sunday.
The Bears (5-12) beat the Packers for the first time since 2018 and ended an 11-game losing streak in this rivalry. It was redemption for Santos, who had a 46-yard field goal blocked by Karl Brooks on the final play of a 20-19 loss to the Packers on Nov. 17.
Brandon McManus had put Green Bay ahead by making a 55-yard field goal with 54 seconds left. Williams got the Bears into field-goal range by throwing an 18-yard completion to DJ Moore, whose fumble had set up the McManus kick.
Altogether, Williams was 21 of 29 for 148 yards with that touchdown pass to Moore, who had nine catches for 86 yards.
Satisfying though it may have been for frustrated fans, winning this game did not really change much about this Bears' season. They still finished well below expectations with plenty of turmoil along the way.
But having at least finally ended their long losing streak to the Packers, the Bears can take a little positive into the offseason.
"This year, we've been through a lot, and I think it kind of shows that look, we're talented as anybody, but the way that the year, obviously, things just kind of took a turn," said Bears tight end Cole Kmet, "and you know, the learning lesson for me this year is just like, how do you emotionally to respond to things? We obviously had a lot of emotional games that we played in—a lot of emotional losses—so if we can jut rebound quicker, you know, we can be a pretty good team."
Williams was pleased by the victory, but was also thinking forward to the offseason and next season.
"Couldn't ask for better way to end season through all of what's gone on, through all of coaches being fired, not playing well myself, and then us losing many, many games in a row—being able to have the first win since 2015 at Lambeau; being able to have the first win versus Green Bay in 10 games—so it's first of a lot," he said, "and really talking about this offseason, being able to grow for myself, you know, the moves, and people that will get to be able to grow and make a monumental job for next year."
Of course, there would be no win to celebrate if Williams had not delivered a couple of big plays to get the Bears in position to make that game-winning field goal—a kick that was especially sweet for Santos after he had a field goal blocked to end the first game against the Packers.
"There was a taste that was in my mouth for weeks leading up to this, and you know, I got on my knees with my wife and my mom this weekend—I prayed to have a moment to have a game-winning field goal," Santos said. "I specifically played for that."
The Bears also took their first lead since the opening quarter of a 30-27 overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 24 by utilizing some trickery on a punt return.
Josh Blackwell's amazing punt return touchdown that used Moore as a decoy may have been the play of the year. As Moore acted as though he was preparing to catch a punt near Green Bay's sideline, Josh Blackwell actually got the ball while his back was toward the line of scrimmage way over near the Bears' sideline.
Most of the Packers in coverage converged on Moore and other Bears, creating a clear lane for Blackwell. He made it into the end zone untouched for a 94-yard touchdown.
The play enabled the Bears to end the first quarter ahead 7-3 despite getting outgained 87-(minus-4). It was the first time since Sept. 4, 1994, that a team led a game after the first quarter despite having less than zero total yards.
"It was perfect. Like I said, we had had seen on film—like, we had seen opportunities to get him on that," said Blackwell.
"I was like, please don't kick it this way, because I have no blockers over here, and then HT was talking about it, and they didn't kick it to me, and Blackwell made the play," said Moore.
Moore said they watched the film of the Bears trying this same return play against the Packers in 2011, with Devin Hester as the fake returner. That one was called back because of a penalty.
This time, there were no flags, and the Bears ended the season on a high note.
A fumble by Jayden Reed led to a D'Andre Swift 4-yard run that put Chicago ahead 14-3 early in the second quarter.
As for the Packers, they lost quarterback Jordan Love and wide receiver Christian Watson to injuries on Sunday. Watson was carted off the field with a knee injury in the second quarter and Love departed with an elbow issue later in that same series.
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said Love was held out as a precaution. The QB had some practice tosses on the sideline late in the game.
Injuries
Along with the injuries to Watson and Love, Bears S Jaylon Johnson hurt his quadriceps. Packers WR Romeo Doubs missed the game due to an illness.
Up next
Bears: Decide on a coach as they begin the offseason.
Packers: Open the playoffs Sunday at Philadelphia.
