CHICAGO (670 The Score) — Five minutes after the clock hit zeroes at Soldier Field on Saturday night, there was still a roar throughout the building. It was pure elation once again after another unlikely Bears comeback, this one on the playoff stage.
The Bears rallied for a 31-27 win over the rival Packers in the wild-card round, fighting back from a 21-3 deficit at halftime and a 21-6 deficit entering the fourth quarter to earn their first playoff victory in 15 years. Afterward, fans who have enjoyed an incredible ride throughout a breakthrough season stayed to relish another remarkable comeback.
The latest chapter of this storybook season was unforgettable.
“It’s not like we haven’t done this all year,” Bears tight end Cole Kmet said with a smile.
With that mindset, the Bears believed they could respond from their 18-point hole. Head coach Ben Johnson told his team at halftime that it was about to do something special in the second half.
Go be legendary, Johnson told the Bears. That’s what they did.
With the Bears trailing 27-24 late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Caleb Williams hit receiver DJ Moore on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 1:43 remaining to give Chicago its first lead of the game. The Packers drove as far as the Bears' 23-yard line on their final drive, but quarterback Jordan Love had three desperation throws in the final 19 seconds come up empty, including the last one falling incomplete in the end zone.
Saturday wasn't even the Bears' most improbable comeback win against the Packers this season – Chicago needed a late onside kick recovery to help its rally in a 22-16 overtime victory against Green Bay on Dec. 20 at Soldier Field – but it was certainly the most satisfying moment yet. It will be remembered as one of the best wins in franchise history.
"We're here and we're going to be here for a while,” Williams said. “It's my plan. Be here with Coach (Johnson), win a bunch of games, be in these moments and come out victorious. That's the mindset for right here this year, and that's also the mindset for the future."
When Johnson was introduced as the Bears’ head coach a year ago, he stoked the fire in the longstanding rivalry with a verbal jab at Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.
"I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year,” Johnson said then, referencing his previous success with the Lions.
Those comments didn't sit well with LaFleur, but it was Johnson who got the last laugh Saturday. He and the Bears earned their second victory over the Packers this season, and they relished it after hearing the talk out of the Green Bay locker room in the days leading up to the playoff showdown. Packers players had made it clear the Bears were who they wanted to face in the playoff opener.
In recent days, Johnson made sure to bring that to the Bears’ attention. After the win, he had a brief, seemingly tense postgame handshake with LaFleur, then went off to the locker room to celebrate.
“F--- the Packers,” Johnson said to his team as a loud cheer went through the room. “F--- them.”
The emotions were running high for Johnson and the Bears.
"There was probably a little bit more noise coming out of their building up north to start the week,” Johnson said. “Which we heard loud and clear, players and coaches alike. So, this one meant something to us."
Williams listened to that “noise” from the Packers too.
"They wanted us, that's what I heard,” Williams said. “They wanted it. And they got it."
Prior to Saturday, it had been nearly 15 years since Chicago last celebrated a playoff victory. That was a 35-24 win over the Seahawks on Jan. 16, 2011. One week later, the Bears lost to the Packers in the NFC Championship.
Chicago has been desperate for a postseason win since and a team capable of getting to the playoffs regularly to give itself a chance. In Johnson’s first year on the job, he has the Bears moving on to the divisional round.
The Bears are still frustrating to watch at times as a complete 60-minute, three-phase performance has eluded them. That didn’t change Saturday night by any means.
But these Bears have a rare ability to keep fighting back against all odds and a resiliency that has been their calling card.
Faced with another big deficit, the Bears never blinked. They believed it would be a victorious night and so too did Chicago.
“It was the only option we had, was to go out there and be legendary," Williams said. "To go out there and execute, to go out there and do our part on the offensive side, defensive side and special teams. Have each other’s back. Go win the effing game.
“Until the clock hits zeroes, we got a pretty good shot.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.