NFL play-offs: Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams claim thrilling wins on Wildcard Weekend
The rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay is the oldest and most played rivalry in the NFL; This is the 213th meeting between the division rivals and only the third meeting in the playoffs; Others came in 1941 and 2011.
The Bears exceeded expectations this season by winning the NFC North division in Ben Johnson’s first year as head coach and clinched the NFC’s second seed.
Green Bay was seeded seventh and had to visit snowy Chicago for its first playoff game at Soldier Field since 2019, and it appeared in the first half that it might be too much for the Bears.
After trailing two games after a concussion, the Packers took a 21-3 lead after quarterback Jordan Love threw touchdown passes to Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.
However, the Bears’ defense stepped up to suppress Love in the second half and with two field goals, the score was 21-9 in the final quarter.
Chicago added another before second-year quarterback Caleb Williams showed why he earned the nickname ‘The Iceman’ by leading his team to touchdowns on three consecutive possessions; On the last one, DJ Moore put the Bears ahead with 1:43 left.
Green Bay still had time to win, and Love led the Packers to Chicago’s 28-yard line on the final play, but his hopeful throw into the end zone fell incomplete and the home fans celebrated their famous victory over their most familiar foe.
