The energy in Chicago right now is basically electric. If you walked into any bar in the Loop or a coffee shop in Lakeview this morning, nobody was talking about the weather, even with the "Iceman" temperatures hitting the teens. They’re talking about the current Chicago Bears score from the Wild Card round—a game that honestly felt like three different seasons packed into four quarters.
The Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 31–27.
It wasn't just a win. It was a 21–3 halftime disaster that turned into a historic 15-year-drought-ending miracle. Caleb Williams didn't just play; he survived a brutal first half and then surgically dismantled a Green Bay secondary that thought they had the game on ice. People are calling it the "Saturday Night Special," and for good reason. It’s the kind of game that changes the way a city looks at its franchise.
What Really Happened With the Current Chicago Bears Score
Most people saw the final numbers and figured it was a back-and-forth thriller. It wasn't. It was a funeral for two and a half quarters.
Jordan Love and the Packers were carving up the Bears' defense early on. By the time the halftime whistle blew, Soldier Field was quiet. Eerily quiet. The scoreboard showed a 21–3 lead for the visitors, and fans were already doing the "here we go again" routine.
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Then the second half started. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen—who has been a revelation this year—sent cornerbacks Nahshon Wright and Jaylon Johnson on a double-sided blitz on the very first play of the third quarter. It didn't result in a sack, but it shook the pocket. It woke up the crowd.
Breaking Down the Comeback Numbers
The shift wasn't immediate, but it was relentless. Here is how that 31–27 score actually came together:
- The Halftime Hole: Bears trailed 21–3.
- The Third Quarter Squeeze: Chicago’s defense forced three straight three-and-outs.
- The Fourth Quarter Explosion: Chicago outscored Green Bay 25–6 in the final frame.
- The Go-Ahead Strike: Caleb Williams hit DJ Moore for a 25-yard touchdown with less than two minutes left.
The game-winning drive was vintage "Iceman" Williams. He went 24-of-48 for 361 yards on the night, but the play everyone will remember is the fourth-and-8 toss to Rome Odunze. A 27-yard prayer that was answered. Honestly, if he misses that throw, the season is over and the narrative is "Caleb can't win the big one." Instead, he’s the first rookie (or "essentially" rookie in his first playoff start) to lead a comeback of that magnitude in Bears history.
The Defense That Refused to Fold
We have to talk about Montez Sweat. While the current Chicago Bears score reflects the offense's late-game heroics, the defense won this in the trenches during the third quarter. Sweat and Austin Booker—who’s been a beast since coming off that early-season knee injury—pestered Jordan Love into two intentional grounding penalties.
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Love finished with 323 yards and four touchdowns, which usually wins you a playoff game. But the Packers' offense stalled out when it mattered. They gained exactly one first down across four possessions in the third quarter. That’s where the game was won.
The Packers had a chance late. They got down to the Chicago 25-yard line with seconds left. But the "monsters" showed up. A couple of hurried throws into the dirt, a loud Soldier Field, and suddenly the clock hit zero.
What’s Next: The Divisional Round vs. the Rams
Now that the high of beating Green Bay is settling into a dull roar, the focus shifts. The NFL confirmed that the Chicago Bears will host the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, January 18, 2026. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC.
The Rams are coming in hot after a 34–31 win over the Panthers. Matthew Stafford is 4–1 at Soldier Field when the temperature is below 40 degrees, so he isn’t going to be scared of a little Chicago frost.
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Injury Concerns to Watch
Winning a playoff game usually costs you something, and the Bears are feeling it. The preliminary injury report is a bit of a laundry list:
- Rome Odunze (Foot): Limited in practice. This is the big one. His connection with Caleb is the soul of the offense.
- DJ Moore (Knee): Also limited. Having both top receivers banged up against a Rams secondary featuring Davante Adams (who now plays for LA) is a nightmare scenario.
- Nick McCloud (Groin): Did not practice. This hurts the depth at nickel back.
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Full participant after a concussion, which is massive news for the secondary.
Ben Johnson, the Bears' head coach, didn't mince words after the Packers game. He knows the run game was "light" (only 93 yards). If the Bears want to beat the Rams and move toward a potential NFC Championship, D'Andre Swift has to find more than 54 yards on the ground. You can't ask Caleb Williams to throw 50 times in the snow and expect a win every week.
Actionable Insights for Bears Fans This Week
If you're following the current Chicago Bears score and planning for the Divisional Round, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the Weather: Forecasts are calling for highs in the teens and snow flurries for Sunday night. This favors the Bears' defense if they can stop Kyren Williams, but it makes the passing game a lot more volatile.
- Monitor the WR Report: Keep a close eye on Friday’s practice participation for Odunze and Moore. If both are limited or out, expect a lot more targets for tight end Colston Loveland, who had 137 yards in his playoff debut.
- Betting Lines: Early lines have the Rams as 3.5 to 4.5-point favorites. For a home team coming off a historic win, that shows a lot of respect for Stafford’s experience in the cold.
- Ticket Strategy: If you're heading to Soldier Field, the secondary market is insane. Prices are hovering around $400 for nosebleeds. Given it's the first home divisional game in years, they likely won't drop much even with the cold.
The Bears are 12–6 now. They've won seven games this year on fourth-quarter comebacks. It’s stressful, it’s chaotic, and it’s probably not sustainable for a Super Bowl run, but right now, Chicago doesn't care. They’re just happy to be relevant in January again.