CHICAGO – The Packers walked into Soldier Field Saturday and did almost everything needed to usurp the Chicago Bears atop the NFC North standings for the second time in 13 days.
And then it all came crashing down.
After turning back the Bears during the teams' recent clash at Lambeau Field, Green Bay saw a 10-point lead with two minutes left evaporate into a 22-16 overtime loss to its archrivals.
It wasn't for a lack of chances. The Packers dominated time of possession and controlled most of the game, but a litany of mistakes, continued struggles in the red zone and turnovers left the door open for a Chicago comeback.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams capitalized, tying the game with 24 seconds left in regulation with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker and then winning the game on a 46-yard TD pass to DJ Moore in overtime.
"That's why it's 60 minutes," defensive lineman Warren Brinson said. "It's a 60-minute game, you've got to play for all 60 minutes. … 58 minutes, those other two minutes killed us."
A banged-up Packers roster was dealt another blow before halftime when Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker's second roughing the passer penalty committed against Jordan Love resulted in Green Bay's quarterback leaving with a concussion.
After going 1-for-4 in the red zone in last week's loss in Denver, the Packers again struggled mightily inside the 20. That included Josh Jacobs losing a fumble on first-and-goal from the Chicago 4 early in the third quarter.
Despite all that, the Packers still carved out a 16-6 lead with a little more than five minutes remaining behind backup Malik Willis, who completed 9 of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in relief.
Chicago clawed back after Brinson caught Williams' facemask while sacking the Bears quarterback on third-and-20 from the Green Bay 46. Moments later, Cairo Santos made a 43-yard field goal that cut the Packers' lead to 16-9 with 1:59 remaining.
With only two timeouts left, Chicago went for an onside kick that Romeo Doubs was unable to recover. Josh Blackwell jumped on the ball at the Bears' 47.
"I missed it," said Doubs, who injured his wrist on the play. "That's just this game, bro. I rep this all week and somebody gotta be responsible and I'm willing to take on 1000% of it."
Williams quickly led the Bears down the field on an eight-play, 53-yard scoring drive that ended with Walker's 6-yard touchdown on fourth-and-4 with 24 seconds left.
The Packers had a free rusher, defensive end Brenton Cox Jr., in pursuit of Williams on the play, but Walker came free on the right side and got two feet down for the uncontested score.
"It was just miscommunication, that's all," said cornerback Nate Hobbs. "Y'all seen (it). It was just a good throw and a good catch, bro. That's all. It's football. Just toss up, catch, he made a heck of a play."
The Bears won the coin toss in overtime and elected to kick. Willis still got the offense going again, hitting receiver Jayden Reed for a 31-yard completion to the Chicago 45.
A 6-yard pass to Dontayvion Wicks came up a yard shy of the next first down. After a Willis scramble went for no gain, there was a fumbled exchange between the Packers' backup QB and center Sean Rhyan on fourth-and-1.
Chicago recovered. Four plays later, Williams aired out a 46-yard pass to Moore for the game-ending score to complete the unexpected comeback.
"We gotta finish. We had the game," safety Javon Bullard said. "Sometimes the ball just don't fall your way. It wasn't nothing they did. They didn't do (anything) special. Kicker ain't got no magic foot or nothing like that. The ball just didn't fall our way. We just gotta take that one."
The game was full of strange anomalies, including the Packers not punting once in the game but also going 0-for-5 in the red zone and 0-for-3 in goal-to-go.
Meanwhile, Chicago went 2-of-11 on third downs, punted three times and had 10 penalties for 105 yards. The Bears didn't score a touchdown until the final minute and never led until the final whistle.
Now 1½ games back of the Bears in the NFC North, the Packers will look to rebound next Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.
"This one is gonna stick with us," defensive lineman Colby Wooden said. "We came in their house, pretty much dominated from whistle to (end). … We just gotta look at the film and keep on getting better. That's a gut punch. That's a reality check for us right there."
