The Bears’ five-game winning streak died in the final seconds at Lambeau Field, punctuated by Caleb Williams’ late interception into the end zone — a ball that came out too late, too soft, and into the hands of Packers corner Keisean Nixon.
What could have been a statement comeback win instead became a 28-21 loss that dropped Chicago from the top of the NFC all the way to No. 7. And yet, even in defeat, the Bears looked like a team built for January, clawing back from a 14-3 halftime deficit and nearly stealing a rivalry game in a building that has buried Chicago for decades.
Williams was uneven: 4-of-12 in the first half, 13-of-19 on the next three scoring drives, sprinkling in off-script brilliance with frustrating inconsistency. He had Cole Kmet open on the game’s final snap. He hesitated. In this rivalry, against this opponent, hesitating is fatal.
Still — and this matters — Chicago did not fold. They did not panic. They did not get overwhelmed by the moment. And that’s why Sunday’s loss stings without feeling damning.
Dec 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Bo Melton (16) catches the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesJeff Hafley’s First-Half Game Plan Put Chicago on Its Heels
The story of the first half was simple: Green Bay dictated the terms.
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley dialed up a coverage-and-pressure blend that clogged Chicago’s quick game — the very thing Williams shredded the Packers with last season — and forced the Bears out of rhythm.
Williams missed his first five passes, and while a dropped Colston Loveland ball didn’t help, Chicago’s passing operation fell into an early funk. With the Packers generating early pressure and taking away hot reads, the Bears punted on four straight drives and went into halftime with just three points.
Worse, the Bears never established the run. And when Chicago becomes one-dimensional, the offense becomes volatile. Hafley’s plan exploited exactly that.
Against a team like the Packers — who can score fast and score often — falling behind early magnifies every mistake. The Bears lived in that danger zone for 30 minutes.
Dec 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) scrambles out of the pocket in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesBen Johnson Adjusts, Bears Punch Back
If Hafley won Round 1, Ben Johnson took Round 2 decisively.
The Bears committed to the ground game after halftime, and everything shifted. The offensive line began leaning on Green Bay’s front — a unit missing Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, and Collin Oliver — and suddenly the play-action game woke up. Williams settled down, delivering a series of sharp intermediate throws, including several on the move that showcased his rare arm elasticity.
Three drives, three scores, and a football game that suddenly looked winnable.
This is the identity of the 2025 Chicago Bears: they adjust. They respond. They fight. Williams’ late interception doesn’t erase the resilience that put them in that position to begin with.
And it doesn’t change the fact that Johnson yet again had the answers — they just ran out of time.
Dec 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesWhat’s Next?
This one hurts. It should. Losses like this are bookmarks in a season — reminders of how thin the margins are for teams with real aspirations. But the sky isn’t falling, far from it.
The Bears are 9-4 with four games remaining:
11 wins still in play A division title is still in play The No. 1 seed is still in play A home playoff game is still in playNext week brings a road matchup against the Cleveland Browns, a physical opponent that will test Chicago’s ability to rebound quickly. And in two weeks, the Packers come to Soldier Field for the rematch — a game that now carries enormous stakes for both sides.
Chicago didn’t get embarrassed. They didn’t regress. They didn’t crumble in a rivalry moment. Instead, they showed they’re built to throw punches deep into December.
Still encouraging? Absolutely.
Still on track? Without question.
This loss may linger tonight, but the Bears left Lambeau looking like a team that knows exactly who it is.
And the season they want is still out there, waiting to be claimed.
Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles with wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesGame Balls
D’Andre Swift: 13 CAR, 63 YDS, 4.8 YPC Luther Burden III: 4 REC, 67 YDS C.J. Gardner-Johnson: 10 TACKLES, 1 INTMore on the Chicago Bears’ Victory
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