The Chicago Bears didn’t necessarily play a spoiler on Sunday when they faced the Green Bay Packers, but there was still plenty to play for as they wanted to end the season on a high note.
That’s exactly what happened as Cairo Santos kicked a 51-yard field goal to beat the Packers, 24-22, snapping Chicago’s 10-game losing streak to finish the season with a 5-12 record.
It was also a historic kick by Santos as the Bears finally defeated their NFC North foe, snapping an 11-game losing streak to the Packers.
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Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos (8) celebrates his game-winning 51-yard field goal against the Packers, Jan. 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. (Dan Powers USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
The winning drive came after the Packers’ Brandon McManus kicked a 55-yard field goal to put Green Bay up 22-21 with 54 seconds left in the game.
Caleb Williams and the Bears offense knew they had a timeout left and needed adequate yards to get within range of Santos to make it happen. The season didn’t start well and Williams was fired, but a costly penalty changed everything.
A horse-collar tackle was called, leading to a 15-yard swing that put Chicago at the 35-yard line instead of returning to its own 13-yard line. On the next play, Williams connected with fellow rookie Rome Odunze for put the Bears at midfield with 40 seconds to play.
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Then, on 3rd-and-6 from the Green Bay 46-yard line, Williams found DJ Moore for 12 yards, but an illegal shift was called to nullify the gain that would have given the Bears enough yards for Santos.
Then, on 3rd-and-11, with 15 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, Williams dropped back and found Moore in the middle of the field for an 18-yard pickup. Chicago ran to the line of scrimmage and spiked the ball with two seconds left, giving Santos a chance to win.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. (Images by Jeff Hanisch-Imagn)
The kick was taken with enough distance and the correct trajectory, and the celebration continued at Lambeau Field.
And although the Packers were already in the playoffs, the loss, along with the Washington Commanders’ winning season, left Green Bay in the No. 7 seed in the NFC. They have to go to Philadelphia to face the No. 2 Eagles instead of going to Los Angeles to face the No. 3 Rams.
On the scoreboard, Williams was 21 of 29 for 148 yards with a touchdown pass to Moore, who had nine receptions for 86 yards. D’Andre Swift also found the end zone on one of his 20 carries for 65 yards.
Chicago also had one of the league’s best trick plays of the season when Josh Blackwell ran back a punt 94 yards for the first touchdown of the game after being left virtually untouched with the Packers thinking a second punt returner from the Packers Bears were going to get him.
Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos kicks a 51-yard game-winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field. (Dan Powers USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
For the Packers, Jordan Love initially started this game, but was pulled as a precaution with what was called an elbow injury. Malik Willis took over and was 10 of 13 for 136 yards. Josh Jacobs also found the end zone for Green Bay again this season.
