Bears End Playoff Drought With Wild Card Win Over Packers

CHICAGO, IL - After eight seasons of waiting, the Chicago Bears and their fans finally have a reason to celebrate. In front of a packed house at Soldier Field, the Bears secured a dramatic 34-29 Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers to advance to the Divisional Round for the first time since Season 24.

Game Recap

The game opened with fireworks from both teams. Jordan Love got the Packers on the board first with a 34-yard touchdown strike to Tyler Locke. But the Bears answered immediately. Caleb Williams, making his playoff debut, connected with Frank Dailey and Kirk Rice for a pair of touchdown passes to close the first quarter with a 14-7 lead.

After a field goal exchange in the second quarter, Williams found Dailey again for a 28-yard score, pushing the Bears' lead to 21-10. Green Bay's Cade York drilled a 31-yarder as time expired in the half to cut the deficit to eight.

The Bears kept their foot on the gas in the third quarter. Kicker Joshua Karty hit two field goals before Williams capped the drive with a 9-yard rushing touchdown to stretch the lead to 34-20. Love responded with a 71-yard bomb to Christian Watson, but Green Bay still trailed heading into the fourth.

The Packers clawed their way back in the final quarter. After another York field goal made it 34-26, Love hit Watson again for an 18-yard score with just 35 seconds remaining. Down five, Green Bay opted for a two-point conversion to cut it to a field goal-but the attempt failed. The Packers attempted an onside kick, but the Bears recovered, allowing Williams to kneel out the clock and seal a win years in the making.

"It means everything," said Williams. "Eight seasons is a long time. The fans deserved this. The city deserved this. For this to be my first playoff game and to win it, it's unforgettable. I just wanted to make sure I did my job."

Watson, who finished with 117 yards and two touchdowns, reflected on the narrow loss: "We fought until the last second. It stings-especially when you feel like you had momentum. But hats off to Chicago. They earned it."

Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was emotional afterward. "This one's for the vets who never got to feel this. This locker room is hungry, and now we're just getting started."

Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns, acknowledged the season-ending loss. "You want the ball last in these kinds of games. We had our shot, just came up short. I've got to be better."

Key Stats

Caleb Williams had a monster debut, throwing for 424 yards, 3 TDs, and adding a rushing score. Frank Dailey hauled in 7 catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, while Kirk Rice added 140 yards and a score. Christian Watson led all Packers receivers with 117 yards and 2 TDs. On defense, Tyrique Stevenson came away with the game's only interception.

Up Next

With the win, the Bears advance to the NFC Divisional Round and will await the outcome of the other Wild Card matchups to determine their next opponent. As for the Packers, their season comes to a close, but the fight they showed down the stretch proved their core remains dangerous heading into Season 33.