What the Bears First Playoff Win Means Going Forward
The Chicago Bears defeated the Green Bay Packers, 31-27, to win their first playoff game since 2011. The Bears also defeated their rival in the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history, improving to 2-1 against the Packers in the postseason. Quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense struggled once again in the first half, then elevated their play in the fourth quarter, which has become a defining trend for this organization. Williams threw for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in his playoff debut. In the fourth quarter alone, the Bears’ franchise quarterback accounted for 184 passing yards and two touchdowns. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland delivered a standout performance, drawing 15 targets for 137 yards. Ultimately, Chicago secured its seventh come-from-behind victory of the season.
Opportunity Awaits, but Execution Matters
Looking ahead in their playoff run, the Bears will host another home game next weekend. Chicago will face either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. That outcome depends on whether Philadelphia defeats the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, with Chicago hosting the Rams if the Eagles fall. Fortunately for the Bears, they have already defeated Philadelphia earlier this season on the road. While Chicago has not faced the Rams this year, Los Angeles has shown vulnerability, losing to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17 and narrowly defeating the Carolina Panthers. Both potential matchups appear favorable for Chicago, though the Bears will need to rely less on late comebacks and place greater emphasis on starting games with urgency.
A Victory That Demands Adjustments
The Bears did not score their first touchdown until the final quarter, tallying 25 of their 31 points during that stretch. The offense and defense were flat early, a pattern that has surfaced multiple times throughout the season. Depending on a single quarter of production in the playoffs will not carry Chicago far, particularly as the level of competition increases. One positive for the defense was its improved second-half performance against Green Bay, marking the first time in four weeks it found a consistent rhythm, allowing just one touchdown and giving the offense an opportunity to rally. The defense, led by Dennis Allen, did not record any takeaways, leaving clear room for improvement next week, especially since forcing turnovers has been a defining strength all season. The Bears will wait to learn their next opponent following Sunday’s Eagles game.
