Patriots: How the New England Patriots Helped the Chicago Bears in Their Comeback Win Against the Green Bay Packers

The New England Patriots indirectly influenced the Chicago Bears’ dramatic playoff comeback against the Green Bay Packers. Bears head coach Ben Johnson said his team drew inspiration from Super Bowl LI, when the Patriots famously erased a 28–3 deficit against the Atlanta Falcons. During training camp, the Bears reviewed film from that game and heard firsthand perspectives from two players on their roster who were involved, namely Grady Jarrett, who played for Atlanta, and Joe Thuney, who played for New England.

That Patriots Falcons Super Bowl is remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, with New England rallying late, forcing overtime, and ultimately winning 34–28. Johnson used that example to remind his players that even large deficits can be overcome if a team stays focused and aggressive.

The Bears faced a similarly dire situation against the Packers, trailing 21–3 at halftime and 27–16 late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Caleb Williams led a late surge with two touchdown passes in the final minutes, lifting Chicago to a 31–27 victory without needing overtime.

Because of that rally, the 2025 Bears joined the 2016 Patriots as the only NFL teams to score at least 25 points in the fourth quarter or later to overcome a deficit of more than 15 points in a playoff game. Johnson said the message to his team was not to panic, but to view the moment as a chance to create something unforgettable, which is exactly what they did.