Why do we have to keep doing these things?
The clock showed zero. The score was 19-17. But for 50 unnerving seconds in the final minute, the Chicago Bears were staring down the barrel of a devastating loss.
After controlling the game for three quarters, they watched the Vikings take a shocking late lead, all too reminiscent of the two teams’ first meeting in the season opener.
Then, in the kind of heart-stopping sequence that defines contenders, Devin Duvernay’s 58-yard kickoff return — and Cairo Santos’ clutch 48-yard field goal — stole victory back.
This is how the new-look Bears went 7-1 in their last eight games and officially climbed to the top of the NFC North mountain.
The New Identity of the Cardiac Bears
Can I just sit through a Bears game and enjoy a thorough beating from start to finish? Please?
These 2025 “Cardiac Bears” under the guidance of Ben Johnson are telling me no.
For the third-straight week, and the fifth time this season, the Bears had to wait until the final few minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Much like the Bengals game, with far less scoring, the Bears were in control of this one for most of the game. Then they slipped up and allowed the Vikings to snatch the lead, requiring some last-minute heroics to win what they rightfully deserved.
This victory was far more than just another tally in the win column. It was a much-needed divisional victory, something that has been rare in recent memory and which will sorely be needed in this tight race for the North crown.
And from a personal perspective, it was also a much-needed notch on the belt of Caleb Williams, who has had the unfortunate bad luck of losing to his fellow quarterbacks from the 2024 Draft class.
The Battle of the Sophomores: Williams vs. McCarthy
The narrative leading into this contest was entirely dominated by the sophomore quarterbacks, Caleb Williams (the 2024 No. 1 overall pick) and J.J. McCarthy (the No. 10 pick).
McCarthy got the leg up on Williams in Week 1 after their stunning, comeback win. But Caleb clearly has had a better 2025 season overall, and was itching for a statement game.
Unfortunately for both, this game was dominated by defense and by receivers who had trouble holding the ball.
And, to some extent, some poorly thrown balls.
Williams and McCarthy both had identical 16-of-32 passing attempts, which is — for those who failed remedial math — just 50% completion percentage.
It was not a good day for Caleb at the office. But he did finish with 43 more passing yards than McCarthy, and 26 rushing yards, not to mention zero turnovers compared to McCarthy’s two.
And he did pick up that all-important victory.
The Fourth-Quarter Déjà Vu (Near Collapse)
For nearly three quarters, the game plan worked perfectly. The Bears defense, opportunistic and relentless, kept McCarthy rattled, building a comfortable 16–3 lead entering the final period thanks to multiple field goals and a strong ground attack.
But for Bears fans, a 13-point cushion in the fourth quarter against the Vikings felt less like a lead and more like a ticking time bomb — especially considering what happened in Week 1.
Indeed, the new chapter of the same old story began to unfold as the Vikings seized momentum.
A Jordan Mason touchdown run followed by a Cairo Santos missed 45-yard field goal attempt opened the door for the Vikings to burst right through.
McCarthy, who had struggled for most of the game, shed his inconsistencies and orchestrated a furious, 85-yard march down the field. The drive culminated in a 15-yard touchdown strike to Jordan Addison, giving the Vikings a shocking 17–16 lead with just 50 seconds remaining.
For the Bears, it was a brutal repeat of the Week 1 matchup and another possible division loss hung in the balance.
But there were still 50 seconds left on the clock…
The Clutch Conclusion: Duvernay’s Return and Santos’ Winner
With four comeback wins already attached to his 2025 resume, Caleb Williams looked primed to lead the Bears to a fifth one.
But alas, he was not needed.
On the ensuing kickoff following the Vikings’ go-ahead score, Devin Duvernay returned the ball 58 yards, essentially setting up the Bears in field goal position — although, with Cairo Santos’ limited leg power, the team wanted to get a few more yards.
A few plays later, after the Bears gained nine yards, they wound the clock down to :04 and sent Santos out to redeem himself.
The veteran kicker indeed did just that, booting through a 48-yard field goal to secure the 19-17 win.
Conclusion: The View From the Top
Immediately following the Bears’ victory, the team found itself in first place in the NFC North, years after general manager Ryan Poles infamously made it the team’s goal to take it and never give it back.
Now, with the Lions yet to have played this week (they had a Sunday night game against the Eagles), that view from the top might have been short-lived.
But with a little help from the Eagles, the Bears have maintained their lead in the NFC North and, thus, control their own destiny moving forward.
Will they necessarily maintain their grasp on first place the rest of the year? No. And I’d say the odds are still better that they sneak into the playoffs as a wild card team than as the NFC North representative.
But from a birds eye view, it is still remarkable how far this team has come in less than a season of Ben Johnson reign.
Coming up this week, the Bears have a very winnable home game against the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers has a left wrist injury that could keep him out of action.
On the one hand, I’d love for the Bears to get one more crack at the villain who has dominated them for so long.
On the other hand, there’s something about facing backup Mason Rudolph that is comforting in the Bears’ pursuit of 8-3.
Either way, expect Soldier Field to be rocking come Sunday.
