By Jason Owens
CHICAGO, DEC. 21 — LIVE UPDATES
The Chicago Bears pulled off one of the most improbable wins of the 2025 NFL season Saturday night, erasing a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Green Bay Packers 22–16 in overtime at Soldier Field.
With new NFL rules making onside kick recoveries increasingly rare, Chicago needed perfection — and got it. After Romeo Doubs mishandled the kick inside the two-minute warning, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams delivered two career-defining throws to keep the Bears’ NFC North hopes alive.
Green Bay appeared in full control after a long fourth-quarter drive extended its lead to 16–6, despite playing without starting quarterback Jordan Love, who exited in the second quarter with a concussion. Backup Malik Willis managed the game effectively for most of the night, guiding multiple red-zone trips and helping the Packers dominate possession for nearly 58 minutes.
But everything unraveled late.
Chicago capitalized on the recovered onside kick, marching 53 yards in under two minutes. Facing fourth-and-goal with 24 seconds remaining, Williams stood tall against pressure and found Jahdae Walker in the back of the end zone to force overtime.
In the extra session, Willis moved Green Bay into Bears territory, but a botched snap on fourth-and-one handed possession back to Chicago. One play later, Williams launched a deep strike to D.J. Moore, who made a contested 46-yard catch over tight coverage for a walk-off touchdown.
The victory moves Chicago to 11–4, giving the Bears a commanding edge in the NFC North with two games remaining. Green Bay falls to 9–5–1, now needing help to reclaim the division.
What looked like a season-defining loss instead became a statement win — and possibly the moment the NFC North race turned.