Jan. 24, 2026, 1:06 p.m. CT
The 2025 Chicago Bears season was one fans won’t soon forget. Despite the disappointing ending coming in the divisional round of the playoffs in a 20-17 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Bears exceeded everyone’s expectations in the first year of the Ben Johnson era. After an 0-2 start in September, Chicago rattled off multiple winning streaks of at least four games to finish the year with a record of 11-6 atop the NFC North for the first time since 2018. That included six comeback victories within the final two minutes, earning them the “Cardiac Bears” moniker.
A season with double-digit wins and unbelievable comebacks in the final minutes didn’t happen by accident. It was thanks to strong coaching and some incredible plays on the field that the Bears found themselves in the win column more often than not. Here at Bears Wire, we’re ranking our top 10 plays from the 2025 season, from unbelievable Caleb Williams throws to timely defensive turnovers.
10. Tyrique Stevenson forced fumble vs. Cowboys
At 0-2, the Bears’ season was already on the line going into their Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field, and things got off to a rocky start. The Cowboys were driving on their opening possession with hopes of scoring early to put the Bears in a hole. Tyrique Stevenson wasn’t about to let that happen on his watch.
Cowboys running back Javonte Williams took a pitch and had room to work up the left sideline for a big gain. Stevenson, unrelenting in his pursuit, caught up to Williams and pulled the ball away from him before either player ran out of bounds. Stevenson narrowly got control of the ball before going out of bounds, giving the Bears a key turnover that would lead to points and eventually the win. Some believe this was the exact moment Chicago’s season turned around.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!9. Josh Blackwell blocked field goal vs. Raiders
The Bears’ fourth-quarter magic became a staple of their 2025 season, and it all started in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite forcing four turnovers, the Bears found themselves trailing the Raiders late in the game before Williams rallied them back with a touchdown drive to take a 25-24 lead. There was still time on the clock, however, and Las Vegas could end the game with a field goal.
On fourth down in Bears territory, the Raiders attempted a 54-yard kick that was blocked by Josh Blackwell coming off the edge. Blackwell had noticed the Raiders’ long snapper had a tell right before he would snap the ball, which allowed him to get the perfect jump to block the kick. The lead was secure, and Bears players were euphoric at the surprising win. Little did they know it was just the beginning.
8. Nahshon Wright strips Jalen Hurts vs. Eagles
One of the biggest regular season games of the year for the Bears took place on Black Friday against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in their own building. The Bears weren’t daunted by the challenge, however, and came out with a strong attack on both sides of the ball. But one moment changed the game, and it took place during Philadelphia’s signature play.
In the second half, as the Bears were attempting to hold onto their narrow 10-9 lead, the Eagles ran their “tush push” play on fourth and short to keep their drive alive. Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright decided to speed in off the edge of the line and rip the football out of Jalen Hurts’ hands before his forward progress ruled the play dead. Wright stripped the ball, and the Bears recovered, turning the tide back in their favor as they marched downfield to score a touchdown. It was a heads-up play by one of the most opportunistic cornerbacks in the league.
7. Nahshon Wright interception vs. Steelers
The turnovers kept coming for Wright, who was on a tear for a good portion of the season. One week after his forced fumble against the Eagles, Wright had an impressive encore against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Pittsburgh’s opening drive, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph delivered a deep ball down the left sideline to wide receiver DK Metcalf with Wright in coverage.
The Bears defensive back climbed the ladder to snatch the pass out of the air and somehow keep both feet in bounds to secure the interception. It was Wright’s third interception in four games and fourth turnover altogether. Arguably, it was the best interception of the year for the Bears, and they had plenty of them during the 2025 season.
6. Colston Loveland touchdown vs. Bengals
Though it was in the middle of the season and didn’t have any playoff implications yet, no one will ever forget the Bears-Bengals wild back-and-forth game. There were multiple plays in this game alone that could have cracked this list, but there’s one that stands out above the rest, which was the final offensive play of the game for the Bears.
After holding a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, the Bears squandered it to the Bengals thanks to miscues across the board. A 41-27 lead with under three minutes left quickly turned into a 42-41 deficit. With just seconds left, Williams fired a dart to rookie Colston Loveland in the middle of the field, hoping to get into field goal range. Loveland bounced off multiple defenders, kept his feet, and raced towards the end zone for an unbelievable 58-yard touchdown that gave the Bears the lead right back. It was the perfect ending to a chaotic game that will never be forgotten.
5. Caleb Williams heave to DJ Moore vs. Browns
Williams had about a half-dozen throws that only a handful of quarterbacks would be able to make this past season, and most of them came within the same month. The first being a sensational touchdown pass to DJ Moore while facing the Cleveland Browns. In the third quarter after the Bears defense forced a turnover, Williams rolled left trying to make a play downfield, and just before he ran out of real estate, he threw up a ball across his body towards the back of the end zone, where DJ Moore came flying in to make a highlight grab for the 22-yard touchdown.
It was a play that appeared to be just a throwaway, but Williams never quit on the play and found his receiver in between two Browns defenders. The throw drew comparisons to the iconic play from the San Francisco 49ers back in the 1980s when Joe Montana found Dwight Clark in the back of the end zone. Little did we know it was only the first of a few special moments between Williams and Moore near the end of the season.
4. Flea flicker from Caleb Williams to Luther Burden vs. Cowboys
Williams has had his fair share of jaw-dropping throws this season, but for a while, his deep bomb to Luther Burden in Week 3 against the Cowboys was at the top of the list. Early in the season, the Bears ran a flea flicker that almost was blown up from the start. Running back D’Andre Swift took the handoff and lofted it back to Williams with defenders bearing down on him.
Williams was barely able to get the throw off, which was a rocket to Burden down the left sideline. The rookie caught the pass and raced into the end zone for the electrifying score. The play itself was 65 yards, but the throw traveled 62.1 yards through the air, which was the longest in the NFL through Week 15. Williams displayed his elite arm talent, while Burden showcased his lethal speed for one of the most exciting plays of the year.
3. Walk-off touchdown pass to DJ Moore vs. Packers
Bears fans will never forget where they were when Williams and Moore called game against the Green Bay Packers the Saturday before Christmas. A patented Bears comeback victory on the lakefront featured two special throws from Williams, one in the fourth quarter and one in overtime.
After Williams found rookie receiver Jahdae Walker in the end zone to tie the game and force overtime, the Bears quarterback put the dagger in the Packers with a 46-yard bomb to Moore that cut through the fierce wind at Soldier Field. The ball landed right in Moore’s hands despite decent coverage for the score that sparked celebrations across Chicago as Williams reminded the world that he is indeed the Iceman.
2. Game-tying touchdown to Cole Kmet vs. Rams
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Williams and the Bears deliver another jaw-dropping play that stuns the NFL world. The Bears took on the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs for the right to go to Seattle for the NFC championship game. Once again, the Bears had their backs against the wall with one play to save their season.
On fourth down, Williams was chased from the pocket with seemingly nowhere to go. The air was sucked away from the stadium as he heaved a pass towards the end zone where Cole Kmet was waiting to get the miraculous touchdown. A 14-yard completion traveled over 50 yards in the air as the Bears forced overtime with everyone stunned in disbelief. The only downside is the Bears would lose in overtime, but fans will still watch this throw with glee.
1. 4th and 8 conversion to Rome Odunze
There’s an argument to be made that the Kmet touchdown against the Rams deserves to be No. 1 among the top plays of the season. For me, however, I still look at the fourth-down conversion to Rome Odunze as the best play of the year in a do-or-die situation. The Bears, as usual, were down to desperation mode and needed a prayer to keep their season alive.
On fourth and eight, after a false start penalty pushed them back, Williams took the snap and was forced to scramble to his left to try and make a play. Leaving his feet, he launched a pass down the sideline where Odunze made the grab with four defenders surrounding him to keep the Bears’ drive going. With the situation, the off-balance throw, and the coverage, it takes first place for the best plays of the season.