CHICAGO (670 The Score) — Bears quarterback Caleb Williams knew he had it all the way.
When he uncorked a deep ball to receiver DJ Moore in overtime Saturday night at Soldier Field, Williams felt a touchdown coming as Moore raced toward the end zone. From his viewpoint, Bears veteran center Drew Dalman felt as if the football hung in the air for 10 or 15 seconds while the home crowd held its collective breath, but there was no doubt in the mind of Chicago's budding franchise quarterback.
Williams was right. Moore raced past Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon and stretched his arms to make a sliding, game-winning 46-yard touchdown reception to give the Bears an improbable 22-16 victory in overtime against their rivals. Chicago rallied for the win after scoring 10 points in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime.
“I knew it was good,” Williams said. “You got that belief, you got that confidence, you got that swagger as an offense. You practice well, you hit plays like that in practice.
“When the play gets called and the moment comes up like that, it's time to go hit it, time to go win the game."
Moore surrendered himself in disbelief as the Bears rushed onto Soldier Field. Teammates lifted Moore up in celebration, while other Bears ran toward midfield to maul Williams.
The Bears' breakthrough season has been filled with unlikely heroes, remarkable moments and meaningful victories, but what Chicago experienced Saturday night was something different and more defining.
The NFC North-leading Bears (11-4) trailed 16-6 before kicker Cairo Santos booted a 43-yard field goal through a challenging wind with 1:59 remaining in the game. He then executed a well-placed onside kick that was pulled in by Bears special teams ace Josh Blackwell. Williams quickly led the Bears offense eight plays and 53 yards for the tying score, capping the comeback with a six-yard touchdown pass to undrafted rookie receiver Jahdae Walker on fourth down in the face of a Packers blitz.
The Bears secured a crucial stop on the Packers’ opening drive in overtime, getting a turnover on downs after quarterback Malik Willis – who took over in the second quarter for injured starter Jordan Love – couldn't fumbled a snap on fourth-and-1 from Chicago's 39-yard line.
On the Bears’ fourth play of overtime, Williams took a play-action fake from under center, waited on Moore to sprint past Nixon and let the football loose.
“We’re never out of it,” Blackwell said. “Until the clock hits zero, we’re never in doubt.”
Williams was 19-of-34 for 250 yards and those two touchdowns. The Bears scuffled on offense for much of the game but responded in the fourth quarter like so many times before this season. Playing a primetime game before a national television audience with playoff stakes on the line, Williams delivered the signature moment of his young NFL career.
The Bears have often stated their belief that Williams is on track toward becoming a franchise quarterback. This performance underscored that belief.
For his part, Williams offered credit to those around him.
"I got the best coach in the world, let's put it that way,” Williams said of Johnson. “We have the best coaching staff in the world. So, you put the talent with the coaches and the people that care, you can strive for anything, you can reach anything, you can go after any goal. And when you go out there on that football field, your belief is at an all-time high between players, between coaches, and you have outcomes like this."
The Bears' season didn't start well, as they sat at 0-2 after a 52-21 loss to the Lions on Sept. 14. Amid the bleak start, Johnson and Williams preached patience and struck a tone of hope in what was to come. Chicago has won 11 of 13 games since.
If the Lions lose to tie against the Steelers on Sunday in Detroit, the Bears will officially clinch a playoff berth.
“I couldn't be more proud of the group,” Johnson said. “I mean, I'm very fortunate to be in the position I'm in coaching these guys. It's not something I take for granted."
After losing 28-21 to the Packers on Dec. 7 at Lambeau Field, Johnson turned the Bears’ attention to winning 11 games as they sat at 9-4 at the time. He believed that would be enough to secure a postseason berth, and that will likely be the case. Even so, these Bears are thinking well beyond that now.
The Bears have a special season unfolding. A turnaround led by Johnson and Williams has been nothing short of unbelievable, and Chicago is dreaming of a deep run in the playoffs.
"Team of destiny? That's the cool part about destiny, you got to get to the end to know,” Williams said. “We're going to keep working, we're going to keep striving for wins, we're going to keep striving for being a top team in this league, we're going to keep fighting until that clock hits zeroes, and we're going to look up and see who wins."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.