What a game that was by the Chicago Bears on Saturday night. The NFL playoffs are here, and so are the Cardiac Bears. Whenever it feels like there’s no hope, this team has proven it can prevail. You honestly have to watch this team from the end of the 3rd quarter until the end of the 4th quarter, even if it trails by 18 points. You will see some of the best football you have ever watched. If you watch this team in the first half, you will be miserable.
Packers seemingly in control
The Packers had all the control of this game as they could possibly want in the first half. Up 21-3, their offense was rolling, and they stopped the Bears’ offense on just about every risky 4th down attempt. Jordan Love was lights out, and the Bears’ defense offered zero resistance for him and the Packers’ offense.
Familiar story
Down 21-3 at half, in the playoffs, many would have thought that this was the game where the Bears just did not have it, and their quarterback just was not ready for this stage yet. Wrong. The Bears’ defense started the game off with a 3-and-out. The Bears were only able to muster up another field goal after that.
Defense set the table
A lot of credit will go to the Bears’ offense for their resurrection , but the Bears’ defense gave them every chance in this game to come back. Dennis Allen outcoached Matt Lafleur, as Lafleur had no answer for his halftime adjustments. The Bears forced four straight 3-and-outs. The Bears’ pass rush became a factor, as Austin Booker and Montez Sweat were getting in the backfield consistently. Booker was able to finish with a sack on the night.
Everyone stepped up
Losing T.J. Edwards was an extremely tough blow, but this defense had just about every one step up. The Bears’ defense has been struggling late in this season, but in the Bears’ most important game of the season, you could not have asked for a better performance from them down the stretch.
Caleb Williams, king of the comeback
Now, Caleb Williams, entering the 4th quarter down 21-6, the Bears roared back to secure the victory. Caleb Williams, even in the playoffs, is still the king of the 4th quarter. He made throws that only he can make, and on 4th and 8, with a game on the line, a linebacker on his ankles, he calmly threw one of the best throws of the season to Rome Odunze for 27 yards to set up a Bears touchdown. That play led to a score which made it 27-24 Packers, and that turned out to be the play of the game.
25-point fourth-quarter avalanche
Caleb looked as uncomfortable as he has been this season, but once he got under control, there was nothing the Packers could have done to stop him. Caleb had 195 total yards and 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter. The Packers quarterback Jordan Love played an elite game, and the Bears still beat them. As good as Love was, Caleb was better in the most important moments, as was Ben Johnson and all the other pivotal Bears players.
They keep getting away with this
The Bears continue to not make it easy on their fans , but they can make it worth it in the end, delivering one of the biggest comebacks in NFL and Bears history. The Bears managed to take down their rival in the playoffs and head into the divisional round. You can not write a better story than what this team has done.
Team of destiny?
This just may be the team of destiny. The funny thing is, this is Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams at their worst together; they are only going to get better. The Bears went 2-1 against the Packers this season and are NFC North Division champs. Ben Johnson meant it when he said he liked to beat Matt Lafleur twice a year.
Two wins away from Super Bowl LX
Watch out for the Chicago Bears team; a win like that against their biggest nemesis to start the playoffs will only give them the utmost confidence moving forward. The sky is the limit for the rest of the playoffs for the Chicago Bears.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Chicago Bears steal the Packers’ souls in thrilling playoff win
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
