Bears Fall Short in Gut-Wrenching Loss to Packers, 28-21
In a game that had all the makings of a statement win, the Chicago Bears instead walked away from Lambeau Field with a bitter taste in their mouths. Week 14’s divisional showdown against the Green Bay Packers ended in heartbreak, as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw a game-sealing interception in the end zone with under 30 seconds left on the clock. Final score: Packers 28, Bears 21.
This one stings - not just because it was a rivalry game, or because it came down to the wire, but because the Bears had a real shot to steal a critical road win and bolster their playoff standing. Instead, they drop to 9-4 and now sit in the NFC’s seventh and final playoff spot. There’s still time, but the margin for error just got a whole lot thinner.
Let’s break down who stood out - and who struggled - in one of Chicago’s most painful losses of the season.
Winner: Bears’ Running Backs Show Up When It Counts
If there was a silver lining in this one, it was the Bears’ ground game. D’Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai delivered a steady, physical performance, especially in the second half when the offense started leaning on them more heavily. The duo combined for 27 carries and 120 yards - nothing flashy, but their consistent four-to-five-yard gains kept drives alive and wore down a Packers defense that was starting to show fatigue late.
It wasn’t the kind of explosive outing we saw earlier this season against the Eagles, but it was efficient football. The Bears controlled tempo in the third quarter largely because of the run game, and that’s a formula they’ll need to lean on as the playoff race tightens.
Winner: Luther Burden III Steps Up in the Spotlight
With Rome Odunze sidelined due to a foot injury, Chicago needed someone to step up on the perimeter - and rookie Luther Burden III answered the call. The second-round pick led the team in receiving, hauling in four catches for 62 yards on six targets. More importantly, he made plays when the Bears needed them most, converting key downs and showing a knack for finding soft spots in the Packers’ secondary.
Burden’s performance didn’t just help keep the offense afloat - it may have earned him a bigger role moving forward. With Odunze’s status still uncertain, Burden is making a strong case to be the team’s No. 2 receiver down the stretch.
Loser: Caleb Williams’ Final Throw Overshadows Gritty Effort
It’s hard to pin the entire loss on Caleb Williams - the rookie quarterback showed poise under pressure and made some big-time throws to keep the Bears in the game. But in the NFL, moments define quarterbacks, and Williams’ last throw was one he’ll want back.
Trailing by seven with under a minute to play and driving into the red zone, Williams tried to force a throw into the end zone - and the Packers made him pay. Interception. Game over.
It was a crushing end to what had been a gutsy, if uneven, performance. Williams finished with 315 total yards, but the offense stalled too often in the first half, managing just three points before halftime. The second-half surge showed promise, but in the NFL, you don’t get points for potential.
Loser: C.J. Gardner-Johnson Struggles in Coverage
Stat sheets can be deceiving, and this was one of those nights for C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Yes, he recorded 10 tackles and notched an interception, but his coverage struggles were hard to ignore.
Pressed into a bigger role after Kyler Gordon was ruled out moments before kickoff with a groin injury, Gardner-Johnson found himself chasing speedy receivers like Christian Watson and Jayden Reed far too often. The Packers clearly identified the mismatch and exploited it, hitting on chunk plays that kept drives alive and put stress on the Bears' secondary.
To his credit, Gardner-Johnson battled. But the drop-off in coverage without Gordon was noticeable, and it cost the Bears in key moments.
Loser: Jonah Jackson Gets Exposed in the Trenches
The offensive line had its hands full all night, and while several linemen had their struggles, Jonah Jackson stood out - for the wrong reasons. While he didn’t allow a sack, Jackson surrendered two pressures and two hurries, and was repeatedly beaten when matched up against elite pass rushers like Micah Parsons.
It was a tough assignment, no doubt, but the Bears need more stability up front if they’re going to protect their rookie quarterback and keep the offense on schedule. Williams was under duress far too often, and Jackson’s lapses were a big part of that.
Loser: Ben Johnson’s Late-Game Management Raises Eyebrows
Ben Johnson has earned plenty of praise this season - and rightfully so. He’s helped transform the Bears into a playoff contender and has gotten strong buy-in from a young roster. But Sunday night wasn’t his finest moment.
With the Bears trailing by seven and less than 30 seconds to play, Johnson’s handling of the clock and final drive left some scratching their heads. After Williams’ interception, the Bears still had 22 seconds left - but no real opportunity to get the ball back. Time management and situational awareness are critical in close games, and this one slipped away.
It doesn’t erase the progress Johnson has made in his first year at the helm, but it’s a reminder that even good coaches have growing pains.
The Bottom Line
This wasn’t just another loss - it was a missed opportunity. The Bears had a chance to take a major step forward in the NFC playoff race and deal a blow to their biggest rival in the process. Instead, they leave Week 14 with more questions than answers.
The good news? There’s still time to right the ship.
The bad news? The margin for error is razor-thin, and the Bears will need to clean up the little things - clock management, pass protection, and red-zone execution - if they want to make noise in January.
This one will sting for a while. But in the NFL, the next challenge is always just around the corner.