In 2025, the Chicago Bears nearly gave fans a heart attack every week, constantly having to come back and win in improbable ways. Quarterback Caleb Williams led an NFL-record seven fourth-quarter comebacks, including in their wild-card playoff win against the Green Bay Packers.

But that has not typically been their mode this season, but after their five turnovers on Sunday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they had to resort to their first game-winning drive from Williams of the season. Chicago won that ugly game, greatly helped by Williams finding tight end Colston Loveland for a 38-yard completion to get the Bears in field goal range.

Bears coach Ben Johnson discussed his team's game-winning drive, which featured shades of that 2025 squad, and how they were prepared to handle that situation.

“It’s unique because we haven’t been in that situation a lot this year, and I hate to keep drawing back to last year, but maybe it’s that confidence from a lot of those familiar faces still being a part of this team that we’re going to be at our best when the pressure is the highest,” Johnson said. “It just felt like we were back on the bike and we were riding that bike again. It’s hard to describe, to be honest with you. But I’m glad that they felt the same way that I felt because it wasn’t like we were having to say a whole lot on the sideline. That wasn’t necessary. It was just we keep going at it, we keep battling away. The big play finally presented itself, and those guys nailed it. It was really well done by the entire offense there.”

Before the start of the season, Johnson had said he wanted the Bears to win by having blowouts and shutouts. They have not shut out an opponent this season, but Chicago has won three games by at least three possessions, including their game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. That is partially what made their performance against Tampa Bay so shocking; the Bears have shown they are capable of being better.

They are now on bye as Chicago prepares for their next game against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 22. The Bears are currently first in the NFC North with a 7-2 record. However, they could drop to second or third in the division depending on the results of Sunday’s games during their bye.