Honestly, if you took a nap during the first three quarters of the Bears-Packers Wild Card game last Saturday, nobody would’ve blamed you. It looked like the same old story. For a while there, it was ugly. Chicago was down 21-3 at the half, and by the end of the third, the scoreboard still sat at a depressing 21-6. You could almost feel the collective "here we go again" sighing through Soldier Field.
But then, the fourth quarter happened.
The final chicago bears football score of 31-27 against Green Bay isn’t just a win. It’s a massive middle finger to a decade of "almosts" and "what-ifs." By the time Caleb Williams found DJ Moore for that 25-yard go-ahead touchdown with 1:43 left on the clock, the narrative of the entire franchise shifted. Chicago outscored Green Bay 25-6 in that final frame. Twenty-five points. In one quarter. Against the Packers.
The Score That Broke the Curse
Let’s be real: the Bears hadn't won a playoff game in 15 years. That’s a long time to wait for a "W" in January. For a city that treats football like a religion, the 11-6 regular season record was nice, but it didn't mean anything if they choked against Jordan Love.
The turning point was basically a clinic in "don't give up." D'Andre Swift punched in a 5-yard run to make it 21-16. Then things got weird. Green Bay’s Matthew Golden scored a 23-yarder to push it to 27-16, but Brandon McManus missed the extra point. That miss was huge. It left the door open just enough for Caleb Williams to kick it down.
Williams finished his playoff debut with some staggering numbers: 323 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. A 103.8 passer rating. Not bad for a rookie under the brightest lights in Chicago.
Breaking Down the 2025-26 Season Results
If you’ve been following the chicago bears football score trends all year, you know this wasn't an isolated incident. This team has become the kings of the heart-attack finish. They had seven fourth-quarter comebacks this season. Seven!
Here is how the back half of the season looked leading up to this playoff thriller:
- Week 15: A 31-3 blowout against the Browns (the defense was terrifying that day).
- Week 16: A 22-16 overtime nail-biter against—who else?—the Packers.
- Week 17: A high-scoring 42-38 loss to the 49ers in Santa Clara.
- Week 18: A somewhat flat 19-16 loss to Detroit that had some fans worried about momentum.
The regular season finale against Detroit felt like a letdown, especially since it cost them a higher seed, but clearly, Coach Ben Johnson had them focused on the bigger picture.
Why the Defense Deserves the Game Ball
While Caleb Williams and DJ Moore get the headlines, Dennis Allen’s defense is the reason the game was even winnable. They clamped down. In the second half, they were a brick wall.
They forced three-and-outs when it mattered most, giving the offense a short field. Jaquan Brisker’s deflection on the final play of the game—a desperation heave from Love—was the exclamation point. It’s one thing to score 31 points; it’s another to keep your composure when the opponent has the ball at your 28-yard line with no time left.
The Bears finished the season ranked 9th in points scored (25.9 per game) but their turnover ratio is where they really shined. They were +22 on the year. That is a wild stat. Basically, they stopped beating themselves and started making other people pay for their mistakes.
What’s Next for the Chicago Bears?
Next up is the Divisional Round. The Bears are set to host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field. The Rams are coming off their own 34-31 squeaker against Carolina, so expect more fireworks.
Historically, Chicago and LA have split their last four matchups 2-2. It’s as even as it gets. However, this Bears team feels different because they actually have an identity now. They aren't just a "defense-first" team anymore; they’re a "we will find a way to score more than you in the last five minutes" team.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round:
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- Watch the Injury Report: Rome Odunze (foot) and DJ Moore (knee) are both listed as "Full Participation" in practice, which is a massive sigh of relief for Caleb Williams.
- Check the Weather: It’s January in Chicago. The Rams are a dome team. If the wind-chill hits single digits, that 31-27 score might look more like 13-10.
- Betting Trends: The Bears have covered the spread in five of their last six home games. They are 6-2 at Soldier Field this year.
- Monitor the O-Line: Braxton Jones is back to full practice. Keeping Williams clean against the Rams' front is the only way this offense stays explosive.
The energy in the city is different right now. People aren't just checking the chicago bears football score to see how much they lost by; they're checking to see how they won. If you’re heading to the game or watching from home, pay attention to the first drive of the second half. That’s where Ben Johnson has been making his best adjustments all season.