Everything felt different for a second. Cairo Santos stepped up for a 46-yarder at Soldier Field, the kind of kick he makes in his sleep, and for about half a heartbeat, it looked like the Chicago Bears were finally going to snap that miserable losing streak against Green Bay. Then came the thud.
Karl Brooks got a finger on it. Just a tip. The ball fluttered, fell short, and the Packers at Bears score settled at 20-19 in favor of Green Bay.
It was heart-wrenching if you’re a Bears fan. Honestly, it was a miracle if you’re pulling for the Pack. That November 17, 2024, game wasn't just another notch in the win column; it was the 11th straight victory for Green Bay in this rivalry, setting a new all-time record for consecutive wins by either side. But if you look at the box score alone, you miss the sheer chaos of how we got there.
The Drive That Should Have Been Enough
Let’s talk about Caleb Williams for a minute. People have been riding the rookie hard, but in that final frame, he looked like the franchise savior everyone hoped for. After Jordan Love sneaked in for a 1-yard touchdown to put the Packers up 20-19 with about three minutes left, Williams had to go the length of the field.
He got sacked twice. Back-to-back. It looked over.
But then he started dealing. He found Rome Odunze on a massive 16-yard gain on 3rd-and-19. Then he went back to Odunze on 4th-and-3 for 21 yards. He was cool, he was poised, and he marched them right into the red zone. The Bears ran the clock down perfectly. They did everything right. Until the protection up the middle collapsed.
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Why the Packers at Bears Score Stayed 20-19
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia basically called his shot. According to Matt LaFleur, Bisaccia told the team the night before that he’d be disappointed if they didn't get a block. They noticed something on film—a vulnerability in how the Bears' interior line stayed low.
Karl Brooks, the second-year man out of Bowling Green, exploited it. He didn't just jump; he penetrated the A-gap between the guard and center. When that ball hit his hand, it didn't just save the game; it preserved a legacy of dominance.
Key Performance Numbers
- Christian Watson: The man was a human highlight reel. 4 catches, 150 yards. That 60-yard bomb where he fell, got up, and kept running was basically the only reason the Packers had a chance to take the lead.
- Jordan Love: It wasn't his cleanest day. 13-of-17 for 261 yards is efficient, sure, but that red-zone interception to Terell Smith was a killer.
- Caleb Williams: 23-of-31 for 231 yards, plus 70 yards on the ground. He outgained Love. He played well enough to win.
The Psychological Toll on Chicago
This game followed a pattern that is becoming haunting for Chicago. First, it was the Jayden Daniels Hail Mary in Washington. Now, a blocked walk-off field goal against their biggest rival.
The Bears actually led 10-7 at the half after a Roschon Johnson TD. They led 19-14 in the third after D'Andre Swift broke off a 39-yard beauty. They had the lead, the ball, and the momentum for huge chunks of this game. Yet, the Packers at Bears score ended up the same way it usually does.
Green Bay didn't play "better" football for 60 minutes. They played better football for the last three seconds.
What This Means for the NFC North
With that win, Green Bay moved to 7-3, keeping pace in a division that is arguably the toughest in the NFL. Chicago dropped to 4-6, a tailspin that eventually led to a massive shakeup in their coaching staff.
It’s worth noting that this rivalry took another turn recently in the 2025-2026 season. While the November '24 game was all Green Bay, the most recent meeting in the Wild Card round on January 10, 2026, saw the Bears finally get their revenge with a 31-27 victory. It took a while, but Caleb Williams eventually found the answer to the Green Bay puzzle that eluded him on that cold November afternoon.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Interior: Next time there's a short field goal, don't watch the kicker. Watch the defensive tackles. The Packers' "load" technique in the A-gap is now a blueprint for other teams playing the Bears.
- Betting Trends: The Packers are currently 11-0 against the Bears under Matt LaFleur. Until Chicago proves they can finish these games, the "moneyline" on Green Bay remains one of the safest bets in divisional play.
- Roster Depth: Keep an eye on Brenton Cox Jr. and Karl Brooks. This game proved that Green Bay’s defensive depth is what wins games when the stars like Rashan Gary are being neutralized by quick-release passes.
If you’re looking back at this specific matchup, remember it wasn't won by a quarterback or a star wideout. It was won by a hand in the dirt and a fingertip on a leather ball.