The Chicago Bears are the comeback kids of the NFL this season and can now lay claim to that title in the context of the league’s entire history.
The Bears came back to defeat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, December 20 after trailing in the last two minutes of the contest. It was the sixth time in 11 wins this year that Chicago accomplished such a feat, which set a new single-season record.
“We’re going to fight until the clock says zero,” QB Caleb Williams told Fox broadcaster Tom Brady following the victory.
DJ Moore Caught OT Pass From Caleb Williams
GettyWide receiver DJ Moore of the Chicago Bears.
The Bears did exactly that, erasing a 10-point deficit with just over five minutes to play following a Packers field goal that put Green Bay up 16-6 at Soldier Field.
Williams led an 11-play, 43-yard drive that ended with a Cairo Santos field goal from 43 yards out in high wind.
Then, instead of booting the ball deep, Chicago declared its intention to attempt an onside kick with just under two minutes to play and only two timeouts at its disposal. Cornerback and special teams player Josh Blackwell recovered the onside try, giving the Bears the football back at their own 47-yard line.
Williams then led the offense on a 53-yard drive that ended on a fourth-down pass to wide receiver Jahdae Walker for a six-yard score that sent the game to overtime.
In the extra period, Williams ended the game with a 46-yard touchdown bomb to wideout DJ Moore that completed the comeback.
Head coach Ben Johnson handed out four game balls following the victory, one each to Moore, Walker, Blackwell and Santos.
Caleb Williams Also Set Personal Record With Comeback Victory, Tying Peyton Manning
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams also tied an individual quarterback record with the comeback win over the Packers on Saturday.
“Caleb Williams ties HOF Peyton Manning for the most fourth-quarter comebacks in a season by a player under the age of 25 in NFL history (6),” the NFL+ X account posted on Sunday afternoon.
Williams finished the game against the Packers with a stat line of 19-of-34 passing for 250 yards and two TDs. He also rushed the football three times for 30 yards.
With two games to play in the regular season, Williams has completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 3,400 yards, 23 TDs and six INTs. He has gained 369 yards on the ground on 4.7 yards per carry and scored three rushing touchdowns.
Chicago (11-4) now has a stranglehold on the NFC North Division with a 1.5-game lead over the Packers (9-5-1), who are currently in second place.
The Detroit Lions (8-6) play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field on Sunday afternoon and can close to within a half-game of Green Bay and two games of the Bears with a victory and two contests remaining.
Chicago can clinch the division with a victory in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers in Northern California or with a win at home against the Lions in Week 18.
Bears, Caleb Williams Make NFL History With Win Over Packers