On Saturday, the NFC two-seed Chicago Bears took on the seven-seed Green Bay Packers in a playoff primetime thriller at Soldier Field. The game started with the Packers dominating the game taking an 18 point at half time. The second half was a different story and the Bears were able to come back and secure the victory 31-27. This knocked out their rival in what many are calling the greatest playoff comeback since Super Bowl LI. This was the biggest Bears game since the 1985 Super Bowl victory.

The oldest rivalry in football coming to the playoffs for the third time ever was a big deal. The winner progressed and the loser went home to an offseason full of torment for losing to their rival. The animosity between head coaches Ben Johnson and Matt Lafleur, the start of a new era in Chicago and a split series in the regular season, made the stakes even higher. Bears fans wanted to prove they were not the same old team, and the Packers wanted to prove that they still dominated their nemesis. 

In most years, the Bears would not be able to win a game such as the one they played last night. In the past, they have been prone to embarrassing losses such as the ‘Fail Mary,’ 4th & 8 and the ‘Double Doink.’ This year, however, the Bears have come out on top with six fourth quarter comeback victories, seven including this one. The comeback victory against the Packers was made extra sweet due to the low standards expected at the beginning of the season. Most fans would have been happy with a playoff appearance back in August. The victory not only marked a huge win for the Bears this season, but showed a future where the Bears could have a clutch franchise quarterback surrounded by offensive weapons.  

Caleb Williams passed for over 350 yards and two touchdowns. A quarterback who has the late game playmaking capabilities and the great arm talent seen on the field Saturday is monumental for a franchise without any 4,000 yard passer. The win proved to the haters that Williams’ nickname “Iceman” is not just given by luck. He truly could be the answer for an organization that’s problem has always been quarterback. 

The Bears also saw a large promise with their rookie tight end, Colston Loveland. Loveland had eight receptions for 130+ yards. He could not be stopped on the corner route and he was also very good at blocking for Caleb and the running backs. If Loveland can keep playing like he has been, he could be the next Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski – a serious threat for opposing teams in the passing and rushing game.

All in all, the Bears’ win last night was historical because of the victory over their rivals to end their season and progress them further into the playoffs for the first time since the weekend of Pearl Harbor. It also  showed what the Bears could be in seasons to come: a threat. If Ben Johnson keeps evolving his offensive weapons, the team with a new regime could be a serious danger, especially given their new found clutch factor.