Don’t call it a comeback.
It’s business as usual for the 2025 Chicago Bears, who live for the drama. They faced an 18-point halftime deficit. They faced an 11-point deficit with just under seven minutes to go. They trailed by three with just under three minutes to go.
None of that mattered.
In a true tortoise and the hare moment, Caleb Williams and the Bears crossed the finish line first to claim victory in the NFC wild-card game, defeating the rival Green Bay Packers, 31-27.
The comeback kids will now advance to the divisional round of the 2025 NFL playoffs, when they’ll host another game at Soldier Field. It was a familiar story for Ben Johnson’s Bears, who have flirted with disaster all season long before pulling off an improbable comeback in the final moments.
Even with that, this was a comeback for the history books. It was the Bears’ biggest postseason comeback in franchise history, which was capped by DJ Moore’s 25-yard touchdown from Williams with just 1:48 to go in regulation.
The NFL’s oldest rivalry has seen a lot through the years, but nothing like this. Chicago’s comeback is the story, but Green Bay’s first-half dominance will be forgotten after a second-half collapse when they were outscored 25-6 in the fourth quarter.
After all, it’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.
Here’s how the action unfolded in a wild, wild-card matchup between the Bears and Packers. USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Bears-Packers game.
Bears vs. Packers takeaways
- The Bears are never out of it: Chicago had every reason to quit. They were down three scores and the home crowd was demoralized as the Bears’ hated rival got whatever they wanted and more in the first half. Chicago had costly fourth-down failures that gifted the visitors great field position. Despite having every reason to pack it up, the Bears kept fighting like they had all year. It’s a great quality to have in a team and the type of stuff champions are made of. Time will tell if they get there, but you’d have to be crazy to count them out now.
- Not all fourth downs are created equal: Being aggressive is one thing. Being reckless is another. Ben Johnson put on his Dan Campbell hat at points tonight, going for it on fourth down regardless of field position. While Chicago’s defense couldn’t get a stop in the first half, those decisions put the Bears in an almost impossible situation. Everyone likes to go for it on fourth down, but it will eventually cost them. Sometimes you just have to live to fight another down.
- Chicago will need 60-minute efforts to win the Super Bowl: The Bears have spent most of this season playing 30-minute games. Unfortunately for them, NFL games are at least 60 minutes in length. As the stakes get higher going forward, Chicago might not be able to rely on pulling off improbable comebacks in the fourth quarter. The Packers couldn’t seal the deal, but everything had to go wrong for them to lose. It’s hard to believe that it can happen three more times for Chicago to win the Super Bowl. They need to start better going forward.
- The Packers have a Matt LaFleur problem: Again, the Packers had to have everything go wrong for them to lose. The defense couldn’t hold the lead. The offense was stuck in quicksand for almost the entire second half. The costly penalties. The lack of awareness of the play clock. At some point, all of that comes down to coaching. The Packers played the second half like a team that already booked their flights and accommodations for Seattle next week. Now, if they want to use them, it’ll be because they bought a ticket to watch the Seahawks play the Rams or 49ers.
Caleb Williams stats vs. Packers
- 24-of-48 (50% completion rate)
- 361 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 2 interceptions
- 71.6 passer rating
- 4 rushing attempts
- 20 rushing yards
- 0 rushing touchdowns
Jordan Love stats vs. Bears
- 24-of-46 (52.1% completion rate)
- 323 passing yards
- 4 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 103.8 passer rating
- 1 rushing attempt
- 11 rushing yards
- 0 rushing touchdowns
Bears. Packers wild-card playoff game highlights
Bears vs. Packers final score: Chicago 31, Green Bay 27
Bears vs. Packers score update: Chicago comes all the way back to take the lead
Caleb Williams to DJ Moore. Touchdown. Bears lead.
Hours ago, that would’ve been unimaginable. These Chicago Bears are all about making the unimaginable, imaginable though. They have erased an 18-point halftime deficit to take a four-point lead with 1:43 to go.
Bears 31, Packers 27
Bears vs. Packers score update: Caleb Williams finds Olamide Zaccheaus to keep the Bears alive
They don’t quit. Just when you thought the Bears could be put on ice, Williams and co. answer with a 10-play, 76-yard drive in just 2:18 to cut the deficit to three. It took some heroics from the quarterback on fourth down, but Zaccheaus scored the touchdown and Colston Loveland got the two-point conversion. It hasn’t been pretty, but the Bears are one stop away from being able to tie or take the lead.
Packers 27, Bears 24
Bears vs. Packers score update: Matthew Golden’s first career TD pushes Chicago to the brink
The Packers’ offense finally woke up when they needed it most. After avoiding disaster on the kickoff, Green Bay only needed six plays to march 54 yards to answer Chicago’s touchdown with one of its own. Golden gets his first career touchdown on the 23-yard catch-and-run, but Brandon McManus misses the extra point to keep the lead at 11. That could prove important in the final minutes.
Packers 27, Bears 16
Bears vs. Packers score update: D’Andre Swift TD makes it a one-possession game
Well, hopefully you haven’t changed that streaming service. This one just got interesting. Swift and the Bears are all the back way into this contest, trailing by only five with 10 minutes to go. The comeback kids marched 66 yards in just seven plays. Now Jordan Love and the Packers have to get their offense back in gear to avoid an embarrassing collapse.
Packers 21, Bears 16
Bears vs. Packers score update: Cairo Santos cuts Green Bay’s lead to 12
For the first time in a long time, we have points on the board. The Bears’ comeback hasn’t really taken shape yet, but they’re slowly cutting into the lead. Green Bay’s offense continues to struggle in the second half, but it remains to be seen if Chicago will have enough time to erase the 12-point deficit with just over 13 minutes remaining.
Packers 21, Bears 9
Who is the Packers’ defensive coordinator?
Jeff Hafley is the Packers’ defensive coordinator. His unit put on a masterclass in the opening 30 minutes of their wild-card matchup against the Chicago Bears. Hafley has risen through the ranks and become a potential candidate for head coaching jobs this offseason. Despite being a coordinator at the NFL level, Hafley does have experience as a head coach. He held that job at Boston College from 2020 to 2023.
Bears vs. Packers score update: Packers take a three-possession lead on Doubs TD
It’s all Packers in the first half. After another failed fourth-down attempt by the Bears, the Packers enjoy a short field and, eventually, another end zone celebration. Love tosses his third touchdown of the first half, this time finding Romeo Doubs on fourth-and-goal to open up an 18-point lead.
Packers 21, Bears 3
Bears vs. Packers score update: Jayden Reed TD extends the Green Bay lead
The Bears’ defense can’t get off the field. It’s now two drives and two touchdowns for the visiting Packers, who take advantage of Caleb Williams’ interception. This time, it’s Love finding Reed for the 18-yard score as a dominant first half continues for the Green Bay signal caller. It puts a bow on the 10-play, 87-yard drive with just under seven minutes left in the half. Packers 14, Bears 3
Packers 14, Bears 3
T.J. Edwards injury update
Edwards was carted off the field with a foot injury. The linebacker’s foot was twisted significantly after being caught with Christian Watson’s in what was an ugly-looking injury. He has battled injuries throughout the 2025 season, limiting him to just 10 games. Now the Bears will have to replace the seventh-year linebacker, who was supposed to be the glue in the middle of that defense.
How old is Al Michaels?
Michaels is 81 years old and will continue calling games through at least the 2026 season, when he’ll turn 82. The legendary announcer has been the play-by-play voice for the NFL on Amazon Prime since 2022.
Bears vs. Packers score update: Packers answer with a Christian Watson TD
Classic rivalry. The Bears got the field goal. The Packers had to one-up the home team and marched down the field for a Love-to-Watson seven-yard TD to cap off the nine-play, 85-yard drive in just under five minutes. Chicago’s defense showed little resistance on this series, as Love sliced and diced his way through the Bears without showing any signs of rust.
Packers 7, Bears 3
What does ‘GSH’ on the Bears uniform mean?
That acronym is a reference to the team’s founding owner, George Stanley Halas Sr. It has been incorporated into Chicago’s uniforms since 1983, following his death at age 83.
Bears vs. Packers score update: Bears strike first with Cairo Santos FG
The Bears certainly aren’t in a hurry. Chicago opens the scoring by eating up most of the opening quarter with a 16-play drive that takes 7:58 off the clock. Despite that hard work, the Bears settled for a 27-yard field goal from Santos to grab the early lead.
Bears 3, Packers 0
What is the temperature in Chicago? Bears vs. Packers weather update
The temperature at tonight’s kickoff is 33 degrees but feels like 17 degrees in Chicago at Soldier Field.
How to watch the Bears vs. Packers playoff game?
- TV: National: N/A | Fox 32 (Chicago) | NBC 26 (Green Bay) and Fox 6 (Milwaukee)
The Bears-Packers matchup will not be broadcast nationally because it’ll be streamed exclusively on Prime Video. It will be available in local markets for both teams.
What time is the Bears vs. Packers playoff game?
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
The Bears and Packers are scheduled for kickoff at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
Bears vs. Packers stream
- Live stream: Prime Video
The Bears-Packers contest will stream exclusively on Prime Video.
Watch the Bears and Packers wild-card matchup on Prime
Bears vs. Packers prediction, picks
Here’s what the experts at USA TODAY think will happen in the Bears vs. Packers playoff matchup in the wild-card round:
- Jarrett Bell: Bears 20, Packers 17
- Nick Brinkerhoff: Bears 27, Packers 23
- Chris Bumbaca: Packers 31, Bears 28
- Nate Davis: Bears 27, Packers 23
- Tyler Dragon: Packers 27, Bears 24
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Bears 28, Packers 21
Bears vs. Packers odds, moneyline, O/U
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Line last updated Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET.
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
- Moneyline (ML): Packers -118 (Bet $118 to win $100) | Bears -102 (Bet $102 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Packers -1 (-115) | Bears +1 (-105)
Bears vs. Packers weather report
The temperature is expected to be 32 degrees around kickoff in Chicago. There are snow flurries in the forecast, but not accumulating and wind gusts will max out at 21 MPH.
Is Jordan Love playing today vs. Bears?
Yes, the Green Bay Packers quarterback is expected to start tonight’s wild-card playoff game against the Bears. Love missed Green Bay’s final two games of the season after suffering a concussion in Week 16.
Chicago Bears inactives today vs. Packers
- QB Case Keenum
- S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- LB Ruben Hyppolite
- DE Joe Tryon-Shouinka
- WR Jahdae Walker
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
- OL Luke Newman
Green Bay Packers inactives today vs. Bears
- QB Desmond Ridder (emergency 3rd QB)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks
- CB Jaylin Simpson
- DL Collin Oliver
- T Zach Tom
- WR Jakobie Keeney-James
NFC North standings
- Chicago Bears (11-6)
- Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)
- Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
- Detroit Lions (9-8)
NFL wild card playoff schedule
All times Eastern.
Saturday, Jan. 10
- Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:30 p.m., FOX
- Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers, 5 p.m., Prime Video
Sunday, Jan. 11
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:30 p.m., FOX
- New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m., NBC
Monday, Jan. 12
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m., ABC/ESPN
NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winners)
- Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC North winners)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC East winners)
- Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC South winners)
- Los Angeles Rams (12-5, wild card No. 1)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5, wild card No. 2)
- Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, wild card No. 3)
Bears schedule 2025
Packers schedule 2025
2026 NFL Draft order
Here’s a look at the latest draft order entering wild-card weekend, via Tankathon. Record indicates that of the original owner of the pick:
- Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 record; .538 strength of schedule
- New York Jets: 3-14, .552
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-14; .571
- Tennessee Titans: 3-14, .574
- New York Giants: 4-13; .524
- Cleveland Browns: 5-12, .486
- Washington Commanders: 5-12; .507
- New Orleans Saints: 6-11; .495
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11; .514
- Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11; .521
- Miami Dolphins: 7-10; .488
- Dallas Cowboys: 7-9-1; .438
- Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): 8-9; .495
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-9; .507
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9, .529
- New York Jets (from IND): 8-9; .540
- Detroit Lions: 9-8; .490
- Minnesota Vikings: 9-8; .514
- Carolina Panthers: 8-9, .522
- Dallas Cowboys (from GB): 9-7-1; .483
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7; .503
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .458
- Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6; .476
- Buffalo Bills: 12-5, .471
- Chicago Bears: 11-6; .458
- San Francisco 49ers: 12-5, .498
- Houston Texans: 12-5; .522
- Los Angeles Rams: 12-5, .526
- Cleveland Browns (from JAX): 13-4; .478
- New England Patriots: 14-3; .391
- Denver Broncos: 14-3; .422
- Seattle Seahawks: 14-3; .498
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