In a dramatic NFL Week 9 contest, the Chicago Bears secured a 47-42 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals thanks to a game-winning 58-yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to tight end Colston Loveland with just 17 seconds remaining. The back-and-forth affair saw the Bears blow a 14-point lead in the final minutes before mounting a last-gasp drive to clinch the win.
The Bears appeared to have the game sealed when they led 41-27 with under three minutes to play, but the Bengals mounted a stunning comeback. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Flacco, playing through a shoulder injury, engineered two quick touchdown drives, capped by a 9-yard pass to receiver Andrei Iosivas with 54 seconds left, giving the Bengals a 42-41 advantage. The comeback was aided by a failed Bears possession after an earlier interception was overturned by replay, leaving Chicago with little time to respond.
Chicago got the ball back with 54 seconds remaining and no timeouts, needing to go 72 yards for the winning score. Williams connected with Loveland on a deep pass, and the rookie tight end broke tackles to complete the 58-yard touchdown with 17 seconds on the clock. The play redeemed a potential catastrophic collapse and kept the Bears’ playoff hopes alive in a season-defining moment.
Williams finished 20-of-34 for 280 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing poise in the clutch despite being a first-year player. Loveland, the No. 10 pick in the draft, had a breakout game with six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner. His performance answered questions about his usage in the offense earlier in the season and highlighted his potential as a key weapon.
The Bears’ ground game was dominant, led by rookie running back Kyle Monangai, who rushed for 176 yards in place of the injured D’Andre Swift. Monangai’s 39-yard run set up a key touchdown, and his efficiency helped control the clock against a struggling Bengals defense. His effort was the most by a Bears rookie since 2001, providing a reliable offensive foundation.
Cincinnati’s defense continued its dismal season, allowing at least 27 points for the eighth straight game. They missed 15 tackles for 133 additional yards, including on Loveland’s winning score, and have surrendered 1,472 total yards over the last three weeks. The unit’s inability to get stops has forced the offense to play near-perfect football, exacerbating team frustrations.
Flacco was heroic in defeat, throwing for 470 yards and four touchdowns on 31-of-47 passing. He spread the ball around, with Tee Higgins catching two touchdowns, including a 44-yard acrobatic score. However, the Bengals’ sloppy play, including penalties and drops, compounded their defensive issues and contributed to the narrow loss.
The win moves the Bears to a 5-4 record, keeping them in the NFC playoff hunt, while the Bengals fall to 3-6. Both teams face tough schedules ahead, with the Bears needing to build on this emotional victory and the Bengals searching for answers on defense to salvage their season.