Chicago Bears Know They Need To Start Faster After Comeback in NFL Playoffs

Despite the confidence inspired by another improbable comeback victory, the Chicago Bears realize that saving their best for last might not be formula for continued playoff success.

The Bears overcame a 21-3 halftime deficit with a remarkable 25-point fourth quarter to rally for a stunning 31-27 victory over the visiting Green Bay Packers on Saturday night in an NFC wild-card game.

Caleb Williams’ second touchdown pass in the final five minutes, a 25-yarder to DJ Moore with 1:43 remaining gave Chicago its biggest postseason comeback in franchise history and first playoff win since 2010.

"To do what they just did with the stakes as high as they were, knowing that it's win or go home at this point, down 21-3 at halftime, and defense bowing up like they did the second half with the number of three and outs, with the offense coming to life," first-year Bears coach Ben Johnson said afterward.

"And finally, we get us enough points in the fourth quarter there, I think that's 25 points in the fourth quarter, was a huge deal. And it's really who those guys are."

It was the second consecutive unlikely comeback victory for Chicago over Green Bay in the third meeting in six games between the NFC North rivals.

After dropping the first meeting 28-21 in Green Bay in early December, the Bears bounced back two weeks later for a 22-16 victory, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation with the aid of a successful onside kick – almost unheard of these days in the NFL.

Even when they lost the first meeting in Green Bay, the Bears rallied to for a 21-all tie midway through the fourth quarter after trailing 14-3 at the half. The Packers finally secured the victory when Williams’ fourth-down pass in the end zone was intercepted with 27 seconds left.

But despite their confidence in their ability to overcome almost any deficit, the second-seeded Bears are hoping to avoid being in that position as they head into another playoff game at home.

“As a team, it's just resiliency and knowing that late in the fourth quarter that's really when we're at our best as a football team,” Johnson said. “We'll keep striving to be better earlier in games and starting faster and all that, but that gives us something to work towards.”

In the wild-card game, the Packers scored on their first three possessions, while the Bears hurt themselves by converting just one of four fourth-down opportunities. One failure gave Green Bay the ball at the Chicago 32-yard line, which led to a touchdown.

In the first half, the Bears were outgained 231-122 and had six first downs compared with 12 by the Packers. By the end, Chicago had a 445-421 advantage in total yards and 24-21 edge in first downs.

“”We certainly didn't think we would have four possessions in the first half and only have three points to show for it, so you do get a little bit disappointed when something like that happens; yet know you're going to have opportunities down the road as well in the second half, which we did,” Johnson said. “As always, Caleb came through for us. He made some big time throws in some critical situations.”

Williams, who has blossomed in his second season under Johnson, has directed seven fourth-quarter comebacks this season, tied for the second-most by any player in a single season in NFL history, including the postseason.

Kirk Cousins with Minnesota in 2022 and Matthew Stafford with Detroit in 2016 each had eight.

“We've been in this situation kind of all year, and that's the frustrating part, because we're such a good team and such great coaches and players,” Williams said. “But to be in those situations and to come out victorious, it's no fluke.”

“In the playoffs you can't get behind every game. You can't have the miscues,” he said. “So, we're going to go back and fix it. But if the game comes down to it, we're going to keep fighting. If it comes down to the last play, the last two minutes, I believe in us and that will keep going forever.”