CINCINNATI, OH — Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears turned a wild finish into a statement win Sunday. With 17 seconds left, the rookie quarterback hit Colston Loveland for a stunning 58-yard touchdown, lifting the Bears to a 47–42 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in one of the NFL’s most dramatic games of the season.
The final two minutes produced three touchdowns and two lead changes — a dizzying sequence that ended with Chicago celebrating its fifth win in six games and Cincinnati left searching for answers.
Williams and Loveland Deliver Late Magic
Moments after Joe Flacco put the Bengals ahead 42–41 on a 9-yard touchdown pass to Andrei Iosivas, the Bears took over at their own 28-yard line with 54 seconds remaining. Williams needed only four plays to flip the game.
On first down from the 42, the rookie launched a strike to Loveland down the middle. The tight end broke free after bouncing off defenders Jordan Battle and Geno Stone, then sprinted untouched to the end zone for the game-winner.
“It’s one of those plays you dream about,” Loveland said. “Caleb put it right where it needed to be.”
Williams finished 20 of 30 for 280 yards and three passing touchdowns, plus an unlikely first: he also caught two passes, one for a score, becoming the first starting quarterback since 1953 to have multiple receptions in a game.
Flacco’s Career Day Not Enough
At 40 years old and nursing a sore shoulder, Flacco delivered one of the best statistical performances of his career — 470 yards and four touchdowns on 30-of-44 passing. Yet his heroics weren’t enough to stop Cincinnati (3–6) from dropping its second straight and sixth in seven games.
The Bengals became the first team since 2007 to score 40 or more points and still lose.
“We just couldn’t get a stop when we needed it,” coach Zac Taylor said. “It’s frustrating because the effort was there — the results weren’t.”
Bears’ Offense Erupts
Behind Williams, the Bears (5–3) rolled up 576 total yards, including 283 on the ground, their best rushing output of the season.
Rookie running back Kyle Monangai, starting for the injured D’Andre Swift, delivered a breakout performance with 176 yards on 26 carries. Practice-squad call-up Brittain Brown added a 22-yard touchdown run, while D.J. Moore contributed a 17-yard rushing score and threw a touchdown pass to Williams on a trick play early in the game.
“It felt like everything we called was working,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said. “The run game set the tone, and Caleb stayed composed no matter what.”
Loveland led Chicago receivers with six catches for 118 yards, while Moore added 72 yards on four grabs.
Bengals Strike Early, Falter Late
Cincinnati’s day began with fireworks as Charlie Jones returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown — his second kickoff return TD in as many seasons. But despite seven catches for 121 yards and two scores from Tee Higgins and another 111 yards from Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals’ defense had no answer for Chicago’s balance and creativity.
After Moore’s touchdown run put the Bears ahead 41–27 with under five minutes remaining, Flacco threw a pick on the next drive. Chicago went three-and-out, and Flacco quickly struck back — hitting Noah Fant for a 22-yard score, then converting the 2-point attempt to pull within six.
When Joseph Ossai recovered the ensuing onside kick, Cincinnati appeared poised for a miracle comeback. Forty-nine seconds later, Iosivas’ touchdown gave the Bengals the lead — briefly — before Williams and Loveland responded in unforgettable fashion.
Milestones and Notes
According to Sportradar, Williams is the first starting QB since George Taliaferro (1953) to record multiple receptions in a game.
His touchdown catch also made him the first Bears QB since 2017 (Matt Barkley) to score through the air as a receiver.
Cincinnati has allowed 31 or more points in three straight games.
Injuries
Bears: TE Cole Kmet and DB Josh Blackwell exited with concussions; DL Dayo Odeyingbo (ankle) left in the second half.
Bengals: RB Samaje Perine suffered a right ankle injury on a first-quarter kick return and did not return.
Up Next:
Bears: Host the New York Giants next Sunday.
Bengals: Enter their bye week before visiting Pittsburgh on Nov. 16.
