The Chicago Bears secured a dramatic 22–16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, completing one of the most improbable finishes of the 2025 NFL season. What began as a windy, low-scoring divisional matchup turned into a sequence of momentum swings and clutch plays that only a rivalry this intense could produce.

For much of the game, the Packers seemed to control the flow. Strong defensive stands and efficient offense kept Chicago from establishing rhythm, while the windy conditions at Soldier Field limited big plays and stretched drives. When Green Bay pushed its lead to double digits late in the fourth quarter, it looked like Chicago’s chances of winning were dwindling fast.

But the Bears refused to go quietly.

Chicago stayed alive thanks to kicker Cairo Santos, who delivered a key 43-yard field goal with under two minutes remaining. In challenging wind, that boot cut the Packers’ lead and set the stage for what came next.

With the deficit still looming, the Bears made a bold decision: they attempted an onside kick. Under the league’s current kickoff rules, successful onside recoveries are extremely rare, yet Santos executed it perfectly. After a tricky bounce, Chicago secured the loose ball when Green Bay struggled to control it cleanly. With fresh life and the clock still ticking, momentum swung in Chicago’s favor.

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams then orchestrated the drive that changed everything. Under intense pressure and facing a do-or-die fourth down near the goal line, Williams delivered a high-pressure pass to Jahdae Walker for a touchdown — tying the game and forcing overtime. It was a play that showcased poise beyond his years at a critical juncture.

In overtime, the Bears won the coin toss and elected to kick, showing confidence in their defense and in the NFL’s revised overtime format, which guarantees both teams a possession as long as time remains. The Packers mounted a drive but ultimately failed to gain enough yardage on a fourth-down play, turning the ball back to Chicago near midfield.

With the sudden opportunity, Williams made the most of it. On the Bears’ lone overtime possession, he unleashed a deep 46-yard strike to D.J. Moore — perfectly placed in tight coverage to put Chicago ahead for good. Moore’s catch and run into the end zone sealed the result and ended the game instantly.

Statistically, Williams did not dominate the night, completing under 60% of his passes in difficult conditions. But in the moments that mattered most — the fourth-down conversion to tie the game and the deep overtime touchdown — he delivered with clarity and confidence. Those two throws defined the night more than any box score entry ever could.

The win improves the Bears to 11–4 and gives them a one-and-a-half game lead over the Packers in the NFC North with just two games left on the schedule. In head coach Ben Johnson’s first season, Chicago has already exceeded expectations, and this victory may prove decisive in the division race.

For a deeper breakdown of how the Bears forced overtime with clutch late-game execution, see our detailed recap: Bears vs Packers: How Did Chicago Force Overtime Miracle Finish? .

For additional context on how regular-season overtime works and why both teams were guaranteed a possession, the NFL’s official overtime rules explain the format and procedures in full detail: NFL Overtime Rules (Official) .

Chicago didn’t dominate this game from start to finish. The Bears didn’t even lead for most of it. But in a rivalry that has seen its share of wild finishes, they found a way when it mattered most — and that is what will be remembered long after Sunday.