Bears vs. Packers: Evaluating the Standout Performances and Weak Points from the Week 18 Victory
The Chicago Bears ended the 2024 season on a high note, breaking free from their 10-game losing streak and an 11-game losing skid against the Green Bay Packers. They achieved a thrilling 24-22 win over the Packers, which also marked the end of their 10-game losing spree that started after their initial 4-2 lead. It was a sweet revenge that the Bears, led by interim head coach Thomas Brown, had been waiting for six long years. Considering the Bears had nothing to play for and the Packers were jockeying for playoff positioning, the victory was a significant one.
The game was reminiscent of the raw passion and rivalry that has always marked Bears-Packers matches. Despite some errors, this was perhaps the most accomplished performance by the Bears since their last win before the bye week. The victory was within an arm’s reach – just a few inches away, in fact, along with a blocked field goal. The achievement was a testimony to the team’s grit, determination, and ability to bounce back from adversity.
Several standout individual performances punctuated this victory, along with some areas that need improvement. Let’s dive deeper into the studs and duds of this memorable game.
The first jewel in the crown was placekicker Cairo Santos. The last time Santos had an opportunity to score a game-winning field goal against the Packers, he was met with disappointment. However, this time, Santos nailed it from 51 yards out, securing the crucial victory for the Bears. This was the team’s first win over Green Bay since December 16, 2018, making Santos’ kick a historic one.
On the flip side, the run defense emerged as a weak spot for Chicago. Even though the defense performed well overall against the Packers, who lost their starting quarterback Jordan Love, the run defense struggled. The Packers managed to accumulate nearly 200 yards on the ground. The defense allowed Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks to run 73 yards and 59 yards, respectively, which is a point of concern for the team.
Wide receiver DJ Moore was another star performer, despite being on the brink of making the duds list due to a costly fumble. His 18-yard reception on third-and-11 set the stage for Santos’ game-winning field goal. Moore led the team with nine catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, proving his mettle under pressure.
However, not everyone had their best game. Wide receiver Keenan Allen, who’s normally Caleb Williams’ go-to target, didn’t have his finest performance in this game. While Allen caught all three passes thrown at him for 25 yards, he was intercepted in a trick play, which could have cost the Bears the game.
The special teams also played a significant role in the Bears’ victory, with Josh Blackwell standing out. Early in the first quarter, thanks to some smart strategy from special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, Blackwell pulled off a 94-yard touchdown, contributing significantly to the victory. This sneaky play helped put the Bears in a commanding position from the outset.
Quarterback Caleb Williams may not have had the most impressive statistics, completing 21-of-29 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, but he was instrumental in leading the Bears to the game-winning field goal attempt. Williams becomes the first Bears quarterback to defeat the Packers since Mitch Trubisky in 2018. If not for a blocked field goal, Williams should be 2-0 against Green Bay.
Lastly, safety Kevin Byard led the defense with 14 total tackles and a strip sack of Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis. This marked Byard’s second sack of the season and the team’s 13th fumble recovery of the season, their highest since 2017. Byard’s performance capped off a strong defensive showing for the Bears in their season finale.