The Chicago Bears weren’t essentially enjoying spoiler on Sunday after they took on the Inexperienced Bay Packers, however there was nonetheless a ton to play for as they needed to complete the season on a excessive be aware.
That’s precisely what occurred because of Cairo Santos drilling a 51-yard area aim to beat the Packers, 24-22, snapping Chicago’s 10-game shedding streak to finish the season with a 5-12 report.
It was additionally a historic kick made by Santos because the Bears lastly defeated their NFC North foe, snapping an 11-game shedding streak to the Packers.
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Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos (8) celebrates his 51-yard game-winning area aim towards the Packers, Jan. 5, 2025, at Lambeau Area in Inexperienced Bay. (Dan Powers USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
The sport-winning drive got here after the Packers’ Brandon McManus drilled a 55-yard area aim to place Inexperienced Bay up 22-21 with 54 seconds left to play within the sport.
Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense knew they’d one timeout remaining and wanted the proper yardage to get in vary for Santos to stroll it off. The drive didn’t begin off properly as Williams was sacked, however a expensive penalty modified all the pieces.
A horse collar sort out was known as, resulting in a 15-yard swing that put Chicago on the 35-yard line as an alternative of again on their very own 13. The very subsequent play noticed Williams join with fellow rookie Rome Odunze to place the Bears at midfield with 40 seconds to play.
BEARS SHOCK PACKERS WITH PUNT RETURN TRICKERY FOR TOUCHDOWN
Then on Third-and-6 from Inexperienced Bay’s 46-yard line, Williams discovered D.J. Moore for 12 yards, however an unlawful shift was known as to negate the acquire that will’ve given the Bears sufficient yards for Santos.
So on Third-and-11 with 15 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, Williams dropped again and located Moore in the midst of the sector for an 18-yard pickup. Chicago rushed to the road of scrimmage and spiked the ball with two seconds left, giving Santos the possibility to win it.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a go in the course of the fourth quarter towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Area. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photographs)
The kick was hit with sufficient distance and the proper trajectory, and the celebrating ensued at Lambeau Area.
And whereas the Packers had been already within the playoffs, the loss, coupled with the Washington Commanders’ personal game-winning drive, dropped Inexperienced Bay to the No. 7 seed within the NFC. They need to go to Philadelphia to face the No. 2 Eagles as an alternative of going to Los Angeles to face the No. 3 Rams.
Within the field rating, Williams was 21-for-29 for 148 yards with a landing go to Moore, who had 9 catches for 86 yards. D’Andre Swift additionally discovered the tip zone on one in all his 20 rushes for 65 yards.
Chicago additionally had one of many league’s greatest trick performs of the season as Josh Blackwell ran again a 94-yard punt for the sport’s first landing after going just about untouched with the Packers pondering a second Bears punt returner was going to catch it.
Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos kicks a 51-yard game-winning area aim towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers, Jan. 5, 2025 at Lambeau Area. (Dan Powers USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
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For the Packers, Jordan Love initially began this sport however was taken out as a precaution with what was known as an elbow damage. Malik Willis took over and went 10-of-13 for 136 yards. Josh Jacobs discovered the tip zone for Inexperienced Bay once more this season as properly.
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