Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) catches a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) gets stopped after a reception during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) catches a pass while Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) tries to bring him down during the second quarter on Nov. 24, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) catches a pass only to have the play called back in the second quarter. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs for extra yardage near the goal line, setting up a first-quarter touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Bears safety Jonathan Owens heads to the sideline to kiss his wife, Simone Biles, before the game against the Vikings. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before the start of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) poses for a photo with Arielle Moore, the 4-year-old daughter of Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, before the start of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown watches warmups before the start of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) warms up before the start of a game at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears offenseive coordinator Thomas Brown walks the perimeter of the field with a beverage before the start of the game. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams stretches out before the start of a game at Soldier Field. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) warms up before a game. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) walks onto the field to warm up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) autographs a jersey before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears center Doug Kramer Jr. (68) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 24, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker warms up before the game against the Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)
Minnesota Vikings kicker Parker Romo made a 29-yard field goal in overtime for a 30-27 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Sam Darnold threw a 29-yard pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson to get the Vikings in position for the field goal. Darnold also completed a 20-yard pass to Justin Jefferson, a 9-yard pass to Aaron Jones and a 12-yarder to Hockenson to fuel the drive.
The Bears won the coin toss before overtime and started with the ball on their 30. But quarterback Caleb Williams rushed for 1 yard, lost 12 yards on a sack and was called for a delay-of-game penalty. He threw a 10-yard pass to DJ Moore on third-and-26, and the Bears punted.
Before extending their losing streak to five games, the Bears (4-7) made a furious comeback from 11 points down to force overtime.
DeAndre Carter’s 55-yard kickoff return set up the Bears on their second-to-last drive, when they were down 27-16. Williams then completed five passes on a 40-yard touchdown drive, which ended with a 1-yard pass to Keenan Allen with 22 seconds to play. Williams found Moore for the 2-point conversion pass to cut it to 27-24.
Defensive back Tarvarius Moore then recovered Cairo Santos’ onside kick. Williams hit Moore with a 27-yard pass up the middle, and the Bears ran to spike the ball at the 30-yard line.
Santos hit a 48-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to send the game to overtime tied at 27.
Williams completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
Darnold had 330 yards on 22-for-34 passing with two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jordan Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, and Hockenson added seven catches for 114 yards.
The Bears pulled within eight points on Williams’ 10-yard touchdown pass to Moore with 7 minutes, 22 seconds to play. Williams’ 2-point conversion pass to Allen was out of reach, and they trailed 24-16.
The Vikings (9-2) responded with a 26-yard field goal to make it a two-score game. Darnold briefly left the drive with an injury, and backup Nick Mullens completed a 14-yard pass on third-and-13.
Darnold returned to complete the drive, which Romo finished with his second field goal and a 27-16 lead before the Bears mounted the comeback.
Bears punt returner DeAndre Carter (11) lets the football hit his leg after calling for a fair catch. The Vikings recovered to set up a touchdown late in the third quarter on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)
The Bears had two big special teams mistakes earlier in the game that looked costly.
In the first half, Santos had his second straight field goal blocked on a 48-yard attempt. And late in the third quarter, Carter had a punt hit his leg and Vikings outside linebacker Bo Richter recovered at the Bears 5-yard line.
Five plays later, Jones scored on a 2-yard run for a 24-10 lead.
Inactives: Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift are available
Bears safety Jonathan Owens heads to the sideline to kiss his wife, Simone Biles, before the game against the Vikings. (Stacey Wescott/ baiduhai)
Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen is active Sunday against the Vikings after rolling his ankle in practice Friday.
Coach Matt Eberflus had said the Bears didn’t think Allen’s injury was severe and were hopeful he would play, and now he is available.
Running back D’Andre Swift also is active after battling a groin injury during the week. Swift said Friday he felt like he would be good to play. Left guard Teven Jenkins returns after missing last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers with an ankle injury.
The Bears previously declared out safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) and guard/center Ryan Bates (concussion). Eberflus said Jonathan Owens would start in place of Hicks.
Wide receiver Tyler Scott, offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie (calf), defensive end Dominique Robinson and defensive back Ameer Speed are also inactive.
For the Vikings, quarterback Brett Rypien, cornerback Dwight McGlothern, defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez, offensive linemen Dan Feeney and Walter Rouse and tight end Josh Oliver are inactive.
Halftime: Bears trail 14-10 despite strong half from Caleb Williams
Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 176 yards in the first half Sunday, but the Bears trailed the Vikings 14-10 at halftime.
Williams completed 16 of 22 passes but led just one touchdown drive. Bears kicker Cairo Santos, after having his second straight field goal blocked earlier in the half, made a 49-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to cut the Vikings lead to four points.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 81 yards and running back Aaron Jones ran for 60 in the first half.
Roschon Johnson scored on a 1-yard run with 53 seconds to play in the first quarter to give the Bears an early 7-0 lead. Williams hit Keenan Allen with a 40-yard pass and D’Andre Swift with a 30-yard floater after escaping pressure on the drive.
But the Vikings easily responded with a three-play, 67-yard drive. Darnold found Jordan Addison for a 45-yard pass and then Addison again for a 2-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 7-7. Addison was blanketed by Terell Smith on the deep shot but still made the catch.
The Bears looked like they were going to respond. Williams hit Allen with a 24-yard pass to the Vikings 6-yard line on third down, but replay review overturned the call on the field, showing Allen had a toe out of bounds.
The Bears turned to Santos, whose game-ending field goal was blocked last week against the Green Bay Packers. This time, Vikings defensive lineman Jerry Tillery got a hand on Santos’ 48-yard attempt, and linebacker Brian Asamoah returned the ball 21 yards to the Vikings 47.
On the Vikings’ ensuing drive, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson was called for pass interference against Justin Jefferson, bringing the Vikings to the 6-yard line. The penalty negated a Jonathan Owens interception.
Darnold then hit Jalen Nailor with a 5-yard touchdown pass for a 14-7 lead.
The Bears got their only takeaway of the half early. The Vikings were moving the ball easily on their first drive and got to the 1-yard line after Jones’ 41-yard run and Darnold’s 7-yard pass to Johnny Mundt.
But on second-and-goal from the 1, Owens — filling in for injured safety Elijah Hicks — made a huge play, ripping the football from Jones and recovering the fumble at the 2.
The play prevented a touchdown, but the Bears didn’t score on their ensuing drive.
Catch up on the rest of our coverage.
5 things to watch — plus our predictions
Bears defensive end Montez Sweat takes the field before a game against the Rams on Sept. 29, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
Defensive end Montez Sweat was forthright when asked how he is feeling as the Bears prep for the Vikings.
“We’re on a three- or four-game losing streak? I’m pretty (expletive) frustrated,” he said.
It’s not just the losing streak that has dampened Sweat’s spirits recently. He has been on the injury report more than he has been used to, first with a shin bruise and then with an ankle injury, though he is now off it and good to play Sunday. And he hasn’t recorded a sack since Oct. 27, sitting at 3½ for the season.
The Bears pass rush in general has been lacking of late, with just one sack in each of the last two games, and that’s obviously something they’d like to change as they attack Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Read more here.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams keeps the ball on a first-quarter run against the Packers on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams will venture deeper into NFC North competition in Sunday’s game.
With the Bears staggering through a four-game losing streak, Williams will have to do his part this week to put the team back on track. And the pressure will remain intense Sunday — from both a blitz-happy Vikings defense and the urgency the Bears face to keep their season alive. Read more here.
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson kneels near the bench after loss to the Packers at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has new, even bigger challenges when he faces the Vikings and wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
After an injury-marred 2023 season, Jefferson has 59 catches for 912 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. He has totaled fewer than 81 receiving yards in a game just twice this season and was deemed “a very special player” by Bears cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke.
Jefferson and Johnson were both drafted in 2020 and have played for the division rivals since. So it’s an oddity that in eight opportunities they’ve met only two other times — on Jan. 9, 2022, and Nov. 16, 2020. Jefferson totaled a combined 13 catches for 242 yards and a touchdown in those games. Read more here.
Chef Marcos Asencio checks on his squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella while tailgating with fellow chefs Alex Martinez (left) and Oliver Poilevey (right) in the 31st Street parking lot before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
A group raises pastries up in the air in a toast as chefs Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Asencio, and Alex Martinez tailgate with friends and acquaintances before Bears game on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Alex Martinez finishes the squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella off with a squeeze of fresh charred lemon for new friend Robert McClendon while tailgating before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Oliver Poilevey (left) shows off a knife to new friends tailgating in the 31st Street parking lot on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Marcos Asencio (center) dishes out squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella as fellow chefs Alex Martinez (left) and Oliver Poilevey (right) prepare food during a tailgate with friends and acquaintances in the 31st Street parking lot before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. The three colleagues and friends are Bears season ticket holders. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Paris Simone takes a bite while tailgating with chefs Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Asencio, and Alex Martinez, in the 31st Street parking lot before a Bears game at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Marcos Asencio checks on his squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella while tailgating before a Chicago Bears game at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Oliver Poilevey prepares tuna sashimi while tailgating with fellow chefs Marcos Asencio and Alex Martinez before a Bears game on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Oliver Poilevey works a Japanese grill while tailgating with fellow chefs Marcos Asencio (left) and Alex Martinez, in the 31st Street parking lot the Chicago Bears take on the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. The three colleagues and friends are Bears season ticket holders. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Octopus cooks on a Japanese grill as chefs Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Asencio, and Alex Martinez, tailgate before a Bears game at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Onlookers check out the squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella made by chefs Oliver Poilevey Marcos Asencio and Alex Martinez on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Sauces are added to the Torres de Mariscos as chefs Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Asencio, and Alex Martinez, tailgate with friends and acquaintances before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
The squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella being cooked by chef Marcos Asencio on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Alex Martinez hands over an oyster to Marcos Asencio (center) as Oliver Poilevey cleans up as the three chefs tailgate with friends and acquaintances before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Oliver Poilevey places caviar on the wrist of Jose Garcia-Chow while tailgating on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Truffle is grated onto a French scramble eggs dish. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Jose Garcia-Chow (cq) consumes an oyster while tailgating with chefs Oliver Poilevey (cq), Marcos Asencio (cq), and Alex Martinez (cq), in the 31st St. parking lot before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. The three chefs and close friends are Bears season ticket holders. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Alex Martinez finishes the squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella off with a squeeze of fresh charred lemon. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Jose Garcia-Chow (cq) prepares to eat an oyster while tailgating with chefs Oliver Poilevey (cq), Marcos Asencio (cq), and Alex Martinez (cq), in the 31st St. parking lot before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. The three chefs and close friends are Bears season ticket holders. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Smoke rises from the dry aged ribeye beside shrimp on a Japanese grill. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Passerby watch as chef Marcos Asencio dishes out squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella while tailgating with friends and acquaintances in the 31st Street parking lot on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Oliver Poilevey retrieves items from a cutting board while tailgating with friends and acquaintances on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Chef Marcos Asencio checks on his squid, shrimp, and chorizo paella while tailgating with fellow chefs Alex Martinez (left) and Oliver Poilevey (right) in the 31st Street parking lot before a game between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
It’s a question Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascencio and Alex Martinez get asked a lot when they tailgate at Bears’ home games.
They hear it while setting up their butane burners and putting the blue-and-white tablecloths on their folding tables. They hear it when doing prep work. And they definitely hear it once the various dishes — seafood paella, truffle-topped soft scrambled eggs and brioche French toast with foie gras, for example — are ready and shared with those fortunate to be nearby.
No surprise then that the answer is a resounding yes. Read more here.
About last week
Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks a 46-yard field goal attempt, which is blocked by Packers defensive end Karl Brooks (94), for a 20-19 loss at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Packers players celebrate as Bears kicker Cairo Santos (8) stands alone after a 46-yard field-goal attempt was blocked as time expired on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
A Packers fan celebrates surrounded by Bears fans after a Packers touchdown in the fourth quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams heads for the locker room after a 20-19 loss to the Packers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates after the Packers defeated the Chicago Bears, 20-19. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
A Bears fan yells from the stands during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) walks off the field after his kick was blocked by Green Bay Packers defensive end Karl Brooks (94) to give the Packers a 20-19 win over the Bears. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) breaks a tackle from Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (55) during the third quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
A Bears fan cheers while Packers fans boo as Bears players are introduced at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) eyes the Packers offense on Nov. 17, 2024. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) dives just short of the end zone while being tackled by Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard III (31) during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) celebrates after making a catch for a first down past Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) during the fourth quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus walks the sideline in the first quarter against the Packers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears running back Roschon Johnson (23) leaps over Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) in the third quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) makes a catch for a first down past Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) during the fourth quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers fans cheer from the stands during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) grabs the undershirt of Packers running back Chris Brooks (30) in the second quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
A Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers fan stand next to each other during the fourth quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers defensive end Karl Brooks (94) celebrates with Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) and Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (30) after Brooks blocked a kick from Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) to give the Packers a 20-19 win over the Bears. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Fans celebrate after the Packers defeated the Chicago Bears, 20-19, at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) celebrates after Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kick was blocked by Green Bay Packers defensive end Karl Brooks (94) to give the Packers a, 20-19, win over the Bears at Soldier Field Sunday Nov. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams keeps the ball for a run in the first quarter against the Packers at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) falls to the ground after a run in the first quarter against the Packers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears cornerback Terell Smith celebrates after getting an interception during the second quarter against the Packers at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears safety Kevin Byard III (31) tackles Packers running back Josh Jacobs to prevent a third down conversion in the first quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) guards Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) while a pass from Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) flies over them for a failed two-point conversion during the third quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears safety Elijah Hicks (22) pushes Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) out-of-bounds during the second quarter at Soldier Field Sunday Nov. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Packers and Bears fans cheer in the third quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a first down pass in the last minute of the game during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard III (31) celebrates after tackling Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the second quarter at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the second quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) is tackled after a reception in the fourth quarter against the Packers on Nov. 17, 2024. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs the ball in for a touchdown during the third quarter. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears fans show their disappointment after a Packers first down in the fourth quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is sacked by Packers defensive tackle T.J. Slaton (93) during the final drive of the game at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Packers fans cheer as Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10), bottom right, is tackled near the end zone in the fourth quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
A Packers fan celebrates a first down near the Bears end zone in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) reaches for but cannot make a catch in the end zone as Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) defends in the third quarter. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams runs from Packers linebacker Quay Walker on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32), center, celebrates with teammates after making an interception in the second quarter against the Packers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears defensive end Montez Sweat runs toward Packers quarterback Jordan Love in the first quarter on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Packers quarterback Jordan Love dives just short of the end zone while being tackled by Bears safety Kevin Byard during the fourth quarter on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards (53) tackles Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) just short of the end zone on fourth down during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) celebrates iwht Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) after Swift scored a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) falls on the field while running the ball during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs for a first down in the third quarter against the Packers on Nov. 17, 2024. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up before a game against the Packers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Packers at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown walks the perimeter of the field before a game against the Packers on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
A sculpture of President-elect Donald Trump sits on a table while fans tailgate before the Bears play the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, left, talks with former player Charles Tillman before a game against the Packers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears running back D'Andre Swift talks with a friend before the game on Nov. 17, 2024. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, right, laughs while talking with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady before a game against the Packers on Nov. 17, 2024. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
A Packers fan walks outside the field before the Bears play the Green Bay Packers. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Chris Pasminski, 33, wears a cheese grater hat while tailgating before the Bears play the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Sunday. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown hugs wide receiver DeAndre Carter before a game against the Packers. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Michael Miller, 68, holds a bear dressed as a Green Bay Packers’ player on a rope while tailgating. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
1 of 58
Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks a 46-yard field goal attempt, which is blocked by Packers defensive end Karl Brooks (94), for a 20-19 loss at Soldier Field. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
“Most teams in this league, it’s a .500 league,” LaFleur said. “You have to find a way to win some of these tight games like we did.”
LaFleur is right. The NFL is designed to create parity. The good teams that are well-coached and manage to remain healthy find ways to pull ahead of the pack. The bad rosters, teams that are poorly coached and ones that get beat up with injuries are stragglers. Read more here.
Bears fans Jim and Patti Cryer wear Thanksgiving-themed hats before a game against the Lions at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2019, in Detroit. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
The NFL has scheduled games on Thanksgiving since the league’s inception. Playing on Thanksgiving is nothing new for the Bears, who have done it 37 times — the third most in the NFL — with another game at Detroit’s Ford Field on Nov. 28.
Known as the Decatur and then Chicago Staleys for its first two Thanksgiving games, the Bears competed on the November holiday annually for 19 consecutive years from 1920-38. The venue that has hosted the Bears most on Thanksgiving — 11 times — is Wrigley Field.
Here’s a look back at the team’s record on the holiday. Read more here.
