There is nothing quite like the NFL. After an instant classic on Thursday Night Football, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears offered an excellent encore on a special Saturday Night presentation. A come-from-behind victory for the home team likely solidified them a playoff spot and potentially winning the NFC North in the first year under new head coach Ben Johnson.
But the road to victory in Week 16 was an arduous one that required the team to excel at every level of the field. In the end, though, an electric touchdown in overtime gave them the victory, as fans went berserk for a spectacular ending thanks to quarterback Caleb Williams.
Caleb Williams Steals the Show As Bears Beat the Packers
The consensus first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams had a slow start to his career, with a rough first year. However, with a head coaching change incoming, it was clear that the problems weren’t entirely his fault.
Still, even with Ben Johnson assuming responsibilities on the sidelines, the start of the year was slow for the Bears at 0-2. Since then, they’ve won 11 of their last 13, with their quarterback turning into a clutch superstar with eight game-winning drives on the year.
The latest one came in a gotta-have-it spot against the Packers at home. After losing their previous encounter just two weeks ago, Chicago needed a victory to virtually guarantee a playoff spot and take a commanding lead in the NFC North.
Unfortunately, the first three quarters did not go their way, as they trailed 16-6 with a shade over five minutes remaining in the game. From there, though, it became an electric showing from their man under center.
Robert Griffin III was thoroughly impressed with his performance, as he wrote on X, “Caleb Williams haters are real QUIET.”
A rough three quarters were forgotten in a hurry as Williams scrambled for his life on the ensuing drive, adding 43 scrimmage yards to get them a field goal. Immediately afterwards, they were able to recover the ball on a rare onside kick.
A drawn-out possession with less than two minutes on the clock led to a sublime throw to undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker in the end zone to tie the game. Mike Garofolo was left super impressed with the game as a whole, offering some high praise.
Two candidates for game of the year this week. Incredible. The #Bears have a hammer lock on the 2 seed with the 1 still in reach. Ridiculous game. pic.twitter.com/SPlPYdWIR5
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 21, 2025
“Two candidates for game of the year this week. Incredible. The #Bears have a hammer lock on the 2 seed with the 1 still in reach. Ridiculous game.” However, the best was reserved for last.
The Packers marched down the length of the field in overtime. But a sack and a fumble recovery on third and fourth down did not allow them to put up any points on the board. As a result, Chicago got the ball back with a chance to ice the game.
NFL Insider Albert Breer wrote soon after, “Unreal throw. Unreal catch. Caleb Williams and DJ Moore. Bears are 11-4, now a game-and-a-half up. Can win the North with one more win.” A steadily building drive saw Chicago add 18 rushing yards to get the first down alongside an incompletion.
Then, from first and 10 at the Green Bay 46-yard line, the former first overall pick threw an absolute dime to veteran wide receiver DJ Moore, who caught it in the end zone for the touchdown and a 22-16 victory for the Bears.
After a touchdown pass to Moore last week against the Cleveland Browns, which many believed was among the best throws all season, Williams followed it up with another contender for “Throw of the year,” as Ari Meirov proclaimed.
Throw of the year by Caleb Williams. pic.twitter.com/SIEnP0oQXP https://t.co/I8o35Jstr1
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 21, 2025
The degree of difficulty on the catch was ridiculous. Aside from the immense pressure of the moment, Next Gen Stats proved just how brilliant the throw truly was. “Caleb Williams’ game-winning 46-yard TD pass to DJ Moore traveled 56.9 yards in the air, Williams’ 3rd-longest completion of his career.”
But what made it even more astounding was the final stat they provided about the play. “Moore had only 0.6 yards of separation from Keisean Nixon when the pass arrived.”
Now leading the division with a substantial lead, the Bears have a chance to complete an excellent turnaround, as another victory should lock up the division for them. However, with the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions remaining on their schedule, neither game is going to be a walkover.
Thankfully, this team, under its new coach, has shown that it can hang with virtually any team in the league.
