When Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was interviewed on the finish of the primary half by Prime Video on Saturday night time, his staff led 21-3. It wasn’t an insurmountable lead however he ought to have been feeling good. But LaFleur famous that the Chicago Bears had been producing large comeback wins all season.
He simply couldn’t cease it from taking place. At this level, it’s in the Bears’ DNA to dig an enormous gap after which produce a ridiculous comeback. It may be changing into a part of Caleb Williams’ DNA as an NFL quarterback as effectively.
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The Bears, down 18 factors in the primary half and 11 factors with lower than 5 minutes to go, had another miracle comeback to go with their miracle comeback towards the Packers in Week 16. The Packers’ offense stalled in the second half and a trio of missed kicks value them seven factors. The Packers left the door open for the Bears to mount one of the thrilling comebacks in NFL playoff historical past.
Williams put collectively two large drives in the fourth quarter, the second ending in a 25-yard landing to DJ Moore with 1:43 to go. The Packers couldn’t reply, working out of time after a drive into Chicago territory, and their 21-3 first-half lead grew to become a 31-27 loss. The Bears will play both the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional spherical in Chicago.
Chicago has had wild video games all season, and got here out on the successful finish of most of them. The Bears appear to get the precise play they want over and over. That’s most likely why, when the Packers gave the impression to be on the verge of a straightforward win, the Bears simply stored plugging away and at last pulled off one of the thrilling and satisfying wins in their franchise’s lengthy historical past.
It additionally doubles as one of many greatest collapses in Packers historical past, made particularly painful by having it occur towards their greatest rival.
For the second time this season, DJ Moore had the successful rating towards the Packers. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Patrick McDermott by way of Getty Images)
Packers take large lead as Bears sputter on fourth downs
The Packers took an enormous lead in every of their first two conferences with the Bears. The begin to the third assembly was acquainted.
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Jordan Love hadn’t performed since struggling a concussion towards the Bears on Dec. 20 however was sharp from the beginning of the sport. He threw for 3 landing passes on the Packers’ first three drives. The third one got here after an enormous gamble by Bears head coach Ben Johnson on fourth down and put Chicago in an enormous gap.
Trailing 14-3 in the second quarter, Johnson determined to go for it on fourth-and-5 from Chicago’s 32-yard line. The shotgun snap wasn’t nice and Williams’ go was batted down. The Packers transformed two of their very own fourth downs, one to Christian Watson to get them to the 1-yard line and another to Romeo Doubs for a 1-yard landing. The Packers led 21-3 after that. The Bears went for it once more on fourth-and-4 on their subsequent drive and WIlliams’ go was incomplete. The Bears had been 1-of-4 on fourth downs in the primary half.
The Packers outplayed the Bears in the primary half. Johnson’s unsuccessful gambles on fourth down didn’t assist. A 21-3 lead at halftime seemed good, however the first two conferences additionally featured large Bears comebacks in the fourth quarter. That’s why the second half shouldn’t have been too shocking.
Packers wrestle to complete off the Bears and Caleb Williams, DJ Moore snatch victory
In each Packers-Bears video games in the common season, the Packers took an enormous lead however couldn’t put the sport away. The first time, they held on to win. The second time, the Bears bought some large breaks and gained the sport.
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The Packers took another lead towards the Bears in the third assembly and couldn’t put the sport away.
The Packers’ offense stalled via the third quarter however the Bears couldn’t take full benefit. They bought a area objective, however with an opportunity to get extra the Bears had another fourth-down failure. The Bears went for it on fourth-and-inches at Green Bay’s 6-yard line however made it difficult, dropping again to go as a substitute of working it. Williams bought speedy strain up the center, handed it as he was retreating and it was picked off. In a detailed recreation, the Bears’ fourth-down failures made an enormous distinction.
Despite the Bears’ points, the Packers couldn’t get a drive going. Finally the Bears reached the top zone, with D’Andre Swift selecting up a 5-yard landing after but another Packers punt. The Bears trailed 21-16 with greater than 10 minutes to go, regardless of falling behind by 18 in the primary half.
The Packers desperately wanted a drive to cease the bleeding. They bought an enormous play from a rookie first-round draft decide who had a really quiet season. Love threw quick to Matthew Golden out of the backfield, and Golden broke via a number of deal with makes an attempt for a landing and a 27-16 lead. Golden didn’t rating a landing in the common season and had simply 361 yards. Green Bay’s Brandon McManus missed the additional level, and that will linger for the remainder of the sport.
The Packers couldn’t assist however preserve letting the Bears stick round. An incredible fourth-down go from Williams to Rome Odunze stored the following drive alive, and Williams hit Olamide Zaccheaus for a landing with 4:18 left. The 2-point conversion was good and since the Packers missed the additional level after Golden’s landing, it was a three-point recreation.
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McManus had a shot to make up for that missed further level with a area objective in the ultimate three minutes, however he missed huge proper. He additionally missed a area objective to finish the primary half. The Packers had been doing all the pieces to offer the sport away. Finally the Bears took the lead again when Moore bought open behind the protection and caught a 25-yard landing. Moore additionally caught a game-winning landing to beat the Packers in extra time in Week 16.
Love wasn’t executed. He accomplished a fourth-down go to maintain the two-minute drill alive. The Packers bought into Bears territory in the ultimate minute of the half. The Packers had been transferring however an harm after they had no timeouts left brought on a 10-second runoff to 22 seconds. That gave the Packers restricted possibilities on the finish zone, they usually ran out of time. Love threw incomplete on the ultimate play of the sport.
It was only a wild-card spherical win for Chicago, however given who it was towards and the way it occurred, it is going to be remembered for a very long time.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Ian Casselberry
Read into this what you’ll. The Bears and Packers have an ideal rivalry, traditionally. Ben Johnson seems to have revived it and blazed via the postgame handshake with Matt LaFleur.
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Ian Casselberry
In Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach, the Bears transfer on to the divisional spherical of the playoffs. Chicago scored 25 factors in the fourth quarter to finish its comeback.
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Ian Casselberry
Packers – 421 yards complete offense
Jordan Love: 24-of-46, 323 yards, 4 TD
Romeo Doubs: 8 catches, 124 yards, 1 TD
Josh Jacobs: 19 carries, 55 yardsBears – 445 yards complete offense
Caleb Williams: 24-of-48, 361 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Colston Loveland: 8 catches, 137 yards
D’Andre Swift: 13 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD -
Ian Casselberry
After an incomplete go on second-and-15, the Packers had one final likelihood with seven seconds remaining.
Jordan Love fumbled however then picked the ball again up on the Bears’ 33-yard line. He purchased himself a while transferring round in the pocket, then lofted a go to the top zone to Emanuel Wilson. But it fell incomplete.
The Bears win, 31-27, rallying from an 18-point deficit to advance to the divisional spherical. They will face the winner of Sunday’s 49ers-Eagles matchup.
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Ian Casselberry
A false begin penalty on Rasheed Walker pushes the Packers again to the Chicago 28-yard line with 13 seconds remaining.
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Ian Casselberry
On first-and-10 from the Bears’ 43-yard line, Jordan Love connects with Jayden Reed for a 20-yard acquire.
However, Sean Rhyan was injured on the play, ensuing in a 10-second runoff for Green Bay.
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Ian Casselberry
Jordan Love continues to maneuver the Packers, hitting Josh Whyle for a 7-yard acquire and Romeo Doubs for a 6-yard catch.
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Ian Casselberry
After a 3-yard checkdown to Josh Jacobs, Jordan Love throws incomplete to Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs dropped a go on third-and-7.
However, Love then connects on an out path to Matthew Golden for a 13-yard acquire and a primary down with 1:05 remaining.
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Ian Casselberry
The Bears take the lead! D.J. Moore catches a 25-yard go down the left sideline, breaking free on what gave the impression to be a display screen go to Luther Burden III.
It’s Bears 31, Packers 27 with 1:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.
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Ian Casselberry
A 12-yard catch by Colston Loveland and 6-yard run from D’Andre Swift strikes the Bears to the Packers’ 48-yard line on the 2-minute warning.
Loveland has 8 catches for 137 yards tonight.
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Ian Casselberry
Brandon McManus misses another kick for Green Bay, pushing a 44-yard area objective try to the precise with 2:56 remaining in regulation.
McManus had 5 yard additional to kick after the Packers had been known as for a delay of recreation penalty on third-and-10 from the Bears’ 21-yard line. Jordan Love hen threw incomplete on third-and-15, establishing McManus’ area objective try.
Chicago takes over at its 34-yard line with slightly below three minutes to go.
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Ian Casselberry
Facing a Bears comeback, the Packers are placing collectively a drive. Romeo Doubs breaks open down the sideline and snares a one-handed seize for a 34-yard acquire, giving Green Bay a primary down on the Chicago 33-yard line.
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Ian Casselberry
The Bears spring again to life! Olamide Zaccheaus catches an 8-yard landing to drag Chicago inside 5 factors.
Caleb Williams then hits Colston Loveland in the entrance nook of the top zone for a 2-point conversion and a 3-point margin.
Suddenly, Brandon McManus’ missed further level may very well be an issue for Green Bay.
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Ian Casselberry
The Bears are usually not executed but. Caleb Williams hit Rome Odunze on a spectacular 27-yard go after scrambling to the left.
Three performs later, Williams connects with Kyle Monagai for a 22-yard acquire, advancing Chicago to the Packers’ 8-yard line.
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Ian Casselberry
Just because it appeared that the Bears had the momentum rolling towards a rally, the Packers reply with a landing drive.
Green Bay drives 54 yards in six performs, highlighted by a 22-yard catch by Romeo Doubs.
After another 9-yard connection between Love and Doubs, the Packers QB hit Matthew Golden on a skip go. The rookie then broke 5 deal with makes an attempt on his option to a 23-yard rating that will have ended the Bears’ comeback.
Brandon McManus missed the additional level, however it’s nonetheless a two-possession recreation for Chicago now.
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Ian Casselberry
After the Bears’ first landing, Josh Jacobs took his first kickoff return of the season for the Packers.
The working again practically gave the ball proper again to Chicago, fumbling after a 32-yard return. But Kitan Oladapo recovered to avert a significant mistake for Green Bay.
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Ian Casselberry
This is now a ballgame, thanks largely to the Bears’ protection. First, Chicago compelled a three-and-out on the Packers’ subsequent possession.
Following a 58-yard punt by Daniel Whelan, the Bears end off a 7-play, 66-yard drive highlighted by two catches by Colston Loveland for a mixed 43 yards.
Chicago lastly will get into the top zone on a 5-yard run by D’Andre Swift.
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Ian Casselberry
The Bears are chipping away on the Packers’ lead, however nonetheless haven’t gotten into the top zone. Cairo Santos hits a 51-yard area objective to chop Green Bay’s result in 21-9.
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Ian Casselberry
On the Packers’ earlier possession, a weird play from offensive lineman Darian Kinnard is value revisiting.
Love handed to Kinnard as an eligible receiver, who then fumbled. The ball was then kicked ahead for 15 yards.
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Ian Casselberry
The Packers punted following Jordan Love’s intentional grounding penalty. Love accomplished an 11-yard go to Chris Brooks on third-and-20, however didn’t get a primary down.
After a 50-yard punt from Daniel Whelan, the Bears took over shortly earlier than the top of the third quarter. Caleb Williams hit Durham Smythe for a 6-yard acquire, however missed on a deep go to Luther Burden III on the following play because the third quarter expired.
