Bears snatch defeat from jaws of victory as Packers block field goal attempt
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) — The Bears on Sunday were so close to ending their long 10-game losing streak to the Packers—so close to getting a potential season-changing win after another chaotic week at Halas Hall.
Instead, it was another unbelievably crushing loss that had the players almost at a loss for words after the game.
The players were almost at a loss for words after the game.
"It's almost comical," said Bears cornerback Jaylon Jones. "Luck of the draw at this damn point."
"A couple of these things that has just been happening this year, like it's never happened to me in my career—and it's happening multiple times within the year," said Bears defensive end Montez Sweat. "It's just kind of crazy."
"It definitely stings, so, you know, it's one of those losses you carry with you," said Bears receiver Rome Odunze.
The Bears lost to the Packers 20-19, after the Packers' Karl Brooks blocked Cairo Santos' 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
"I just hit the same ball I always hit. I felt like it was right on target—like the line that it took," Santos said. "and 94 [Brooks] just made a great play, and put his hands right in the trajectory where the ball started."
The Bears had a chance to get closer to the end zone than they ultimately did—as quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense were clicking on the final drive—but Head Coach Matt Eberflus decided to run the clock down instead of trying to set up a shorter kick.
"You could say you could do that for sure—maybe get a couple more yards—but you also risk, you know, fumbling and different things there," Eberflus said. "We felt where we were—now, if we were at the 36 or 35, you know, you're definitely doing that, because you want to get it inside there. I felt very confident where we were at that time with the wind, and where we were on the field."
The last-place Bears (4-6) lost to the Packers for the 11th straight time, the longest streak by either team in the storied rivalry. The Packers (7-3) made just enough plays to avoid falling farther behind Detroit and Minnesota in the NFC North.
Jordan Love put Green Bay on top 20-19 when he scored from the 1 with 2:59 left. That touchdown was set up by a 60-yard pass to Christian Watson, who got up after making a lunging catch and ran all the way to the 14. The 2-point conversion failed.
Green Bay then sacked the Bears' Williams on the first two plays of the next possession. The Bears regrouped and drove all the way to the 28, only to end a chaotic week with their fourth straight loss when Brooks got through the center of the line and blocked Santos' kick.
The disappointing end overshadows what was a good game for Williams and the offense in the first game with new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown calling plays. Their 391 yards gained was more than the last two games combined.
Williams threw for 231 yards and ran for 70 after regressing in the previous three games.
"Being able to string together a few drives is always good—always a good feeling as an offense. You work super hard throughout the week—and then not being able to go down and score is frustrating and tough, as you may assume," Williams said. "But being able to do it today, I think it builds confidence for us."
The Bears' D'Andre Swift had 14 carries for 71 yards. His 39-yard score near the end of the third quarter gave the Bears a 19-14 lead.
"Energy—we were out there moving the ball. Everybody was involved, so that was the best thing," said Bears receiver DJ Moore.
"I felt really good about the plan coming in, and you know, credit to TB—kind of getting things together, and asking a little bit more of everybody this week, and I thought that showed out on the field today," said Bears tight end Cole Kmet. "I'm sure there's a lot of things that we could still get better at, but I thought his commitment to the run game was awesome to see, and I thought Caleb also did a really good job today. So those two just did a really good job stepping up this week, and I thought showed on the field."
The Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron this past Tuesday and replaced him with Brown, who had been passing game coordinator, hoping to spark a unit that ranks among the worst in the NFL.
For the Packers, Love completed 13 of 17 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown. He also threw his league-leading 11th interception, matching his total from last year.
Josh Jacobs ran for 76 yards and a score for the Packers. Brenton Cox, active for the first time this season, had a sack, as did Rashan Gary and T.J. Slaton, helping Green Bay beat Chicago for the 26th time in 29 games.
The Packers made it look easy on the game's opening possession, going 70 yards for a touchdown capped by Love's 15-yarder to Chicago-area product Jayden Reed.
Santos answered with a 53-yard field goal. It was his seventh this season of 50 or more, tying his own franchise record.
The Packers were in position to add to their lead early in the second quarter. But Love, who's been intercepted at least once in every game, overthrew Tucker Kraft under pressure on third down at the 15 and Terrell Smith picked it off at the 1.
The Bears then scored their first touchdown since the final minute of a loss at Washington in Week 8. Roschon Johnson powered in from the 1 in the closing seconds of the half to cap a 13-play drive. The offense had gone 26 possessions without reaching the end zone.
Santos made it 13-7 with a 27-yard field goal on the opening drive of the third quarter. The Packers answered with a 70-yard drive, capped by Jacobs' 7-yard TD through a big hole in the line.
Swift put the Bears back on top 19-14 in the closing minute of the third when he got a nice lead block from Braxton Jones and turned up the left side for a 39-yard score. The 2-point conversion pass failed.
Injuries
Packers: CB Jaire Alexander, who's been dealing with a knee issue, sat out the second half. ... The Packers placed rookie G Jordan Morgan (shoulder) on injured reserve on Saturday. The first-round pick was splitting time with Sean Rhyan at right guard, with Rhyan getting the majority of snaps.
Bears: LG Ryan Bates was evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter.
Up Next
Packers: Host San Francisco on Sunday.
Bears: Host Minnesota on Sunday.
