The Chicago Bears’ 2025 season has come to an end in their loss against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs on Jan. 18.
The game ended 20-17 in overtime with a game-ending field goal from Rams kicker Harrison Mevis. Leading up to the field goal, the Rams intercepted the ball from Bears quarterback Caleb Williams for their third turnover of the game. Williams had highs and lows throughout the game. Although his three interceptions did result in significant losses for the Bears, his pass to Cole Kmet forced the game into overtime, giving the team another chance. Moments like these signify the Bears season in its entirety. The team has earned the nickname the “Cardiac Bears” due to their ability to perform in the fourth quarter. The Bears had six regular-season comeback victories while trailing in the last two minutes. These wins earned the team a franchise record for most fourth-quarter comeback wins.
Even though the loss was a crushing end to an unprecedented season for the Bears, fans are still happy with the players’ performance in the game.
“[With Williams] clutch play, I was just shocked,” senior Sebastian Baptista said. “I had never seen a play like that before; it was a mix of being lucky and Caleb being skilled enough to throw a fifty-yard touchdown off his back foot. But the interceptions are the underlying problem. People can say that some of them were other people’s fault, but not all of them were.”
Some fans have different opinions regarding the result of the final playoff game, especially regarding Williams’ role in the loss.
“In overtime, in that last interception, I think it’s very noble for Caleb to claim responsibility for it,” senior Anthony Burns said. “I really think it’s DJ Moore‘s fault. He stopped running his route, and I think that ball definitely could have been at least deflected, instead of intercepted. I was not expecting them to make it as part of the playoffs. I’m super happy they did, and I’m a big fan of Caleb. I think he’s a great quarterback and he’ll continue to be more and more successful.”
Many fans were worried about this season because of early losses against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Against the Vikings, the Bears were up 17-6 in the third quarter. However, due to an eighteen-yard run from Jordan Mason and two touchdown passes from J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings were in the lead and a final Bears’ touchdown with two minutes remaining was not enough for the team to come back. Again, in the Lions’ home opener, the Lions continuously dominated the Bears. Lions quarterback Jared Goff made significant contributions to this win as he passed for three-hundred-thirty-four yards and rolled through the Bears’ defense.
The team broke significant franchise records and also won their first playoff game in fifteen years, showing the future for the franchise. The Bears are expected to develop more and fans are excited for what is to come.
“Even though the season ended this way, the Bears continued to succeed even in situations where they shouldn’t have,” senior Max Lee said. “I’m overall happy with how everyone played and as long as the Bears retain players until next season, I think they will be successful.”
