An ugly first half turned into a dramatic second-half comeback for the Chicago Bears, who defeated the Green Bay Packers, 31-27, in the NFC Wild Card game.
Chicago did little right in the opening two quarters, trailing 21-3 at halftime. Momentum completely flipped after the break, as the Bears erupted for 28 points, including 25 in the fourth quarter, while the Packers managed just six points over the final two quarters.
Quarterback Caleb Williams led the decisive game-winning drive with 2:51 remaining. Williams connected with wide receiver DJ Moore for a 25-yard touchdown on a six-play drive that took just 1:08 off the clock.
That left Green Bay with 1:43 remaining, but needing a touchdown while trailing by four. The Packers marched down the field, running 11 plays to reach Chicago’s 28-yard line. However, quarterback Jordan Love fumbled the snap on a crucial play and was unable to find an open receiver, ending the comeback attempt.
The missed opportunities — and one critical point left on the field — became a central talking point after the loss.
Packers Kicker Brandon McManus Gets Blame for Loss
The turning point appeared to come earlier when Love found Matthew Golden for a 23-yard touchdown pass. However, kicker Brandon McManus missed the ensuing extra point, leaving the score at 27-16 instead of pushing the lead to 28-16.
Despite the 11-point advantage, the Bears stormed back with 15 unanswered points, including two touchdowns and a two-point conversion. McManus later missed a 44-yard field goal with 2:56 remaining that would have extended Green Bay’s lead to six, compounding his struggles.
McManus also missed a 55-yard attempt just before halftime, giving him three missed kicks on the night.
“Brandon McManus is the first kicker to miss two kicks in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since Lawrence Tynes in the 2007 NFC Championship Game for the Giants at the Packers,” ESPN’s Rob Demovsky said. “Tynes got another chance to make up for it and hit the game winner in OT. No such opportunity tonight.”
“Packers got literally KICKED in the stomach by Brandon McManus,” Skip Bayless posted on X.
Matt LaFleur Addresses Packers Loss
Following the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur spoke with reporters as questions extended beyond the loss itself and toward his future.
“This one is gonna hurt for a really, really long time,” LaFleur said. “I’m disappointed for everybody that’s associated with the Green Bay Packers.”
When asked whether he expected to return next season, LaFleur declined to address the question, saying it was not the right time, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
Schneidman, however, cautioned against placing the blame solely on LaFleur.
“This one is hardly just on LaFleur and the offense, though that second half was brutal,” Schneidman wrote. “The defense was horrid in the second half, and special teams were again a postseason disaster.”
While Schneidman’s assessment is difficult to dispute, the reality remains that accountability ultimately rests with LaFleur. He is now 3-6 in the playoffs, and the Packers have been eliminated in the opening round in each of the past two seasons.
Packers’ Brandon McManus Makes Rare Playoff History In Loss to Bears