Caleb Williams hit DJ Moore with a 46-yard touchdown pass in overtime as the Chicago Bears overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 22-16 victory over the visiting Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, securing their hold on first place in the NFC North.
Along with losing to their longtime rivals, the Packers lost quarterback Jordan Love to a concussion in the second quarter on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Austin Booker.
Chicago recovered an onside kick to set up the tying touchdown on a fourth-and-4 play, a 6-yard pass from Williams to free agent rookie Jahdae Walker to tie it at 16-all with 24 seconds remaining in regulation.
Green Bay drove to the Chicago 36 on the first series in overtime, but reserve quarterback Malik Willis fumbled the snap on fourth-and-1.
On the ensuing possession, Kyle Monangai carried for 11 yards on third-and-3 for a first down at the Packers 46. Williams then hit Moore with the game-winner.
Cairo Santos’ third field goal of the game, a 43-yarder with 1:59 remaining, pulled Chicago within 16-9.
Romeo Doubs was unable to corral the onside kick and the Bears recovered for a first down at their own 47. Williams later hit a wide-open Walker in the right corner of the end zone.
Chicago (11-4) maintained first place in the division over Green Bay (9-5-1), which defeated the Bears 28-21 at home two weeks ago.
Willis, who came on when Love was injured on a second-quarter sack, directed three scoring drives, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Doubs that put Green Bay in front 13-3 with 33 seconds left in the third quarter.
Santos answered on the Bears’ next possession with a 51-yard field goal to make it 13-6. Brandon McManus countered with a 28-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10 with 5:03 left.
Williams completed 19 of 34 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. D’Andre Swift ran for 58 yards and Monangai added 50.
The Packers ran for 192 yards, including 82 by Emanuel Wilson. Willis completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards and also ran for 44 yards. Josh Jacobs was limited to 36 rushing yards on 12 carries. Before he exited, Love completed 8 of 13 passes for 77 yards.
After being blanked in the first half, the Bears got on the board on the opening possession of the third quarter, pulling within 6-3 on Santos’ 46-yard field goal. Williams keyed the drive with a 34-yard pass to Monangai.
Green Bay responded with a drive to the Bears’ 3-yard line, but Jacobs’ fumble was recovered by Chicago.
Willis came on to replace Love with first down at the Green Bay 32. Willis continued the 16-play, 91-yard drive that ended with McManus’ 22-yard field goal that put the Packers in front 6-0 at the half.
McManus’ 26-yarder put Green Bay ahead 3-0 early in the second quarter.
Each team failed on fourth-and-1 inside the opposing side’s 10-yard line on its opening possession.
–Field Level Media
