Bears vs Packers: Inside the Snap Counts, Stats, and They Did it Again!

I’m not gonna lie.

I started writing this article in the third quarter of that game last night because I wanted to get a head start on a quick recap on what looked like a devastating end to the season. I was just going to phone in as straightforward a snap counts and starts article as I could, because I needed to turn football off as soon as the game ended and throw on a movie.

Basically, a quick… here are the numbers, now leave me alone.

But then the Chicago Bears did what they do.

So I deleted it, then wrote the game recap, did a cheese grater article, watched every video the team shared on social media, and shared a few things myself on social media.

Now it’s past 2 a.m. as I dive back into this one.

Of all the comebacks the Bears had this season, this was by far the best. The 18-point comeback was their biggest this season and the biggest in the postseason in franchise history. The fact that it came against the Green Bay Packers makes it so much sweeter.

The seven comebacks for quarterback Caleb Williams this season, including this playoff game, are the most in a season by any quarterback under the age of 25 in NFL history.

The Bears are just the third team in league history to score 25 fourth-quarter points in a playoff game.

As for the game totals, the Bears outgained the Packers (445 to 421), held the time-of-possession edge (32:41 to 27:19), had more first downs (24 to 21), and were better on third down (52.6% to 40.0%). The Bears were also penalized less, with just 2 penalties for 5 yards, compared to 7 for 65 for the Packers.

Green Bay had the edge on fourth-down tries, going 3 for 3, while the Bears were 2 for 6. Two of Chicago’s fourth-down misses were interceptions, and those were the only two turnovers in the game by either team.

Let’s look at the Bears’ playing time breakdowns and a few individual stats from the game.

OFFENSE

Caleb Williams set a franchise record for passing yards in a playoff game with 361, of which 184 came in the fourth quarter.

Colston Loveland set the rookie and tight end franchise records for receiving yards in a playoff game with 137.

Williams to Loveland will be making memories in Chicago for the next decade.

“We got a home run with him, you know,” Williams said about his 21-year-old tight end. “That’s something my coach said the other day to me. We were sitting in his office, and now everybody goes back to draft night… [and asks] Why did we get Colston Loveland? Why do we do this, and why do we do that?”

“It’s Colston Loveland,” Caleb said matter-of-factly. “You know what I mean?”

Yes, we know what you mean, and now the entire NFL knows it, too.

DEFENSE

Jaquan Brisker’s 9 tackles led the Bears.

Austin Booker had 6 tackles, a sack, 2 QB hits, and a tackle for loss.

Tremaine Edmunds had 6 tackles and a pass defended.

Kevin Byard III had 5 tackles.

Grady Jarrett chipped in with 5 tackles, a QB hit, and a forced fumble.

Montez Sweat had 3 tackles, 3 QB hits, and a PD.

Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon each had 3 tackles and 2 PDs.

SPECIAL TEAMS*

*The above image has players who only played in the third phase.

Cairo Santos hit 3 field goals, including a 51-yarder that is the longest for a Bear ever in the playoffs. He also hit both extra points.

Tory Taylor didn’t punt once, but his holds on extra points and field goals were on point!

Devin Duvernay had 3 punt returns for 64 yards and 3 kickoff returns for 80 yards.

Elijah Hicks had a tackle and a forced fumble.

To check out the complete Bears vs. Packers box score, I find ESPN’s site is easy to navigate.

All statistics and snap counts, as well as the accompanying pictures, are taken directly from the NFL’s Game Statistic and Information System.