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Chicago Bears End 15-Year Playoff Drought with Win

1/18/2026

47 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Chicago Bears earned their first playoff win in 15 years by beating the Green Bay Packers.
Caleb Williams, the Bears quarterback, has thrived under rookie head coach Ben Johnson, leading several comebacks.
Williams, drafted first overall in 2024, has shown improvement in high-pressure situations.
The Bears finished the regular season 11-6 and will face the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

History

Historical Context

The Chicago Bears' 2006 season marked a significant resurgence, culminating in their first Super Bowl appearance since 1986. Under head coach Lovie Smith, the Bears finished with a 13-3 record, winning the NFC North title and defeating the New Orleans Saints 39-14 in the NFC Championship. Despite their efforts, they lost Super Bowl XLI to the Indianapolis Colts, 29-17, highlighting the franchise's ongoing quest for championship success.

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Story summary

The Chicago Bears earned their first playoff win in 15 years by beating the Green Bay Packers.
Caleb Williams, the Bears quarterback, has thrived under rookie head coach Ben Johnson, leading several comebacks.
Williams, drafted first overall in 2024, has shown improvement in high-pressure situations.
The Bears finished the regular season 11-6 and will face the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

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