The Chicago Bears produced a superb fightback to beat division rivals Green Bay and claim their first play-off victory in 15 years.
The Bears pulled off a regular-season record six comebacks after trailing in the final two minutes and pulled off another escape act to beat the Packers 31-27 in Chicago.
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Green Bay led most of Saturday’s Wildcard Weekend game, but Chicago scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to recover from an 18-point deficit — a franchise record for the playoffs.
The Bears trail the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round after avoiding a huge upset against the Carolina Panthers, with Colby Parkinson’s touchdown giving them a 34-31 victory with 38 seconds remaining.
The rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay is the oldest and most played rivalry in the NFL, it is the 213th meeting between the division rivals – and only the third in the playoffs, the others having taken place 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 earning the NFC’s No. 2 seed.
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Green Bay won the seventh and thus had to travel to a snowy Chicago for the first play-in game at Soldier Field since 2019, and during the first half it looked like the opportunity might have been too much for the Bears.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love returned after two games following a concussion and threw three touchdown passes as the visitors took a 21-3 halftime lead.
But Chicago’s defense rallied in the second half to stifle the Packers and a field goal made it 21-6 heading into the final quarter.
The Bears added another before second-year quarterback Caleb Williams, making his playoff debut, showed why he was nicknamed “The Iceman” by leading his team to touchdowns on three straight possessions.
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D’Andre Swift went in from point-blank range before Love threw his fourth touchdown pass to halt Chicago’s momentum, making it a two-point game once again at 27-16.
Yet Williams, the first draft pick in 2024, was undeterred, finding Olamide Zaccheaus and DJ Moore either side of a second missed field goal by Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus to give the hosts the lead with 1:43 remaining.
Chicago actually lost the turnover battle, with Williams throwing two interceptions as well as two touchdown passes, but it was the 24-year-old’s composure when their season was on the line that allowed long-suffering Bears fans to celebrate a famous victory.
Rams survive scare in Carolina
Colby Parkinson scored the winning score for the Rams, whose most recent Super Bowl victory came in 2022 (Getty Images)
The Rams were not only heavy favorites to beat Carolina, but they are also one of the favorites to win Super Bowl 60 on February 8.
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Despite entering the playoffs with an 8-9 record, the Panthers had home-field advantage after stumbling to the NFC South title.
The Rams, who finished the regular season 12-5, appeared on track for a direct advance to the divisional round after Puka Nacua scored the first two touchdowns.
But the Panthers regrouped and cut the score to 17-14 at halftime, before tying the score in the third quarter.
The final quarter produced four touchdowns, with the Panthers twice taking the lead, only for the Rams to answer each time through Kyren Williams and Parkinson.
Both scores came from passes by Rams quarterback Matt Stafford, the favorite for this season’s Most Valuable Player award, who accounted for 304 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
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Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw for 264 yards in his playoff debut, plus an interception, while throwing for a touchdown and rushing for another.
