Chicago Bears make last-second field goal to beat Green Bay Packers. Here’s what you need to know.

Bears kicker Cairo Santos knocked in a game-winning field goal as time expired Sunday to beat the Green Bay Packers 24-22 at Lambeau Field. The regular-season finale win snapped a 10-game losing streak and an 11-game losing streak to the Packers. Here’s what you need to know.

Three moments that mattered

1. Redemption: After finding various dramatic ways to lose this season, the Bears found a way to win their regular-season finale in dramatic fashion. Trailing 22-21 with less than a minute remaining in the game, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams led his team 37 yards to set up the game-winning field goal. Santos made the 51-yard attempt as time expired, earning redemption after having a game-winning kick blocked against the Packers earlier this season.

2. Not again: The Bears seemed poised to blow another chance at winning another game Sunday after a costly turnover. Williams completed a short pass to DJ Moore, which he fumbled at the Bears 43 yard line. The Packers gained just six yards on their next drive, but kicker Brandon McManus made a 55-yard field goal with 54 seconds left in the game.

3. Who has it?: The Bears special teams unit used some trickery to take an early lead Sunday. Josh Blackwell and Moore both went back for a punt and Moore drew the Packers' attention by pretending to catch the punt. Blackwell instead returned the punt for a 94-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead with 6:34 left in the first quarter. The play was the team’s first punt returned for a touchdown since 2021 and the Bears' first lead since Nov. 24.

Three things that worked

1. Finding a way to win: Sunday seemed like it would follow the same trajectory each loss had this season. But Williams took advantage of a Packers horse collar penalty on the final drive’s first play and completed three passes of at least 12 yards to move the ball down the field. Williams found rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze for a 15-yard pass to get the Bears to the 50 yard line with 34 seconds left in the game.

2. Turning turnovers into points: The Bears ended the year by creating at least two turnovers for the seventh time this season. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson forced a fumble and safety Jonathan Owens recovered it late in the first quarter. Bears running back D’Andre Swift scored three plays later to give his team a 14-3 lead with 14:02 left in the second quarter. Safety Kevin Byard forced a fumble in the third quarter.

3. Limiting the damage: After a tough stretch since the Bears fired former coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears defense ended the season with two strong games. Chicago didn’t allow a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17 and held the Packers to two touchdowns Sunday. Green Bay went 3 for 10 on third down and 0 for 1 on fourth down.

Three things that didn’t

1. Creating a deep threat: Williams and the Bears never truly developed a deep-pass threat this year, and that was once again on display Sunday. Interim head coach Thomas Brown mostly had Williams stick within 10 yards, relying heavily on screen passes as he has since he took over the play calling. Williams threw for 148 yards and his longest pass was a 32-yard touchdown to Moore, which was a short pass and run.

2. What was that?: After their first fake play of the day led to a touchdown, the Bears' second attempt resulted in a turnover in the third quarter. Williams pitched the ball to Moore who then pitched it to Keenan Allen. Once Allen’s first target wasn’t open, he paused for a few seconds before trying to throw the ball to Swift down the sideline. Packers safety Xavier McKinney intercepted the pass.

3. Not ready to go: Sunday’s first Bears drive encapsulated their struggles with opening games all season. Williams lost three yards after a high snap on the drive’s first play and the Bears lost a net total of two more yards on the next two plays. The Bears ended the season without scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the game and only scored a total of six points on opening possessions this season.

What’s next?

The Bears head into the offseason after another disappointing season, missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Now they’ll need to answer critical questions in the coming months, including who will be the next head coach and whether general manager Ryan Poles will make the hire.