Bears and Bengals Trade Epic Collapses in NFL's Wildest Game of 2025

In what can only be described as one of the most thrilling contests of the 2025 NFL season, the Chicago Bears defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 47-42 on Sunday in a game that saw multiple lead changes, dramatic comebacks, and a fourth quarter that will be talked about for years to come. This instant classic featured 31 fourth-quarter points, including an astonishing 28 points scored in the final five minutes alone.

A Fourth Quarter for the Ages

The Bears appeared to have the game firmly in control, holding a 41-27 lead with less than five minutes remaining and boasting a 99.7% win probability according to ESPN analytics. What followed was a sequence of events so improbable that it defied belief.

The chaos began when the Bengals' veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, playing through a shoulder injury, orchestrated a remarkable comeback. After Chicago went three-and-out in just 27 seconds, Flacco needed only four plays to march 55 yards downfield, connecting with tight end Noah Fant for a 23-yard touchdown. The Bengals successfully converted the two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 41-35 with 1:43 remaining.

The Onside Kick That Changed Everything

Cincinnati's slim hopes rested on recovering the ensuing onside kick—and incredibly, they did just that. Although the kick didn't travel the required 10 yards, it touched the foot of a Bears player, allowing the Bengals to pounce on the loose ball. This miraculous recovery gave Flacco and company another chance, and they made it count.

In just six plays spanning 49 seconds, Flacco drove the Bengals into the end zone again, finding wide receiver Andrei Iosivas for the go-ahead touchdown with only 54 seconds left on the clock. Cincinnati had taken a 42-41 lead, and Chicago's win probability had plummeted from 99.7% to a mere 14.1%—an 85.6% swing that ranks among the wildest in NFL history.

Caleb Williams' Heroic Response

With less than a minute to play and their backs against the wall, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams showcased exactly why the Bears made him the No. 1 overall pick. After two incomplete passes threatened to derail Chicago's hopes, Williams scrambled for a crucial first down on third-and-10, though it cost the Bears their final timeout.

Facing first-and-10 from their own 42-yard line with just 25 seconds remaining, Williams delivered the play of the game. He fired a perfectly placed pass to rookie tight end Colston Loveland over the middle of the field. Loveland caught the ball at the Bengals' 36-yard line, somehow broke free from the grasp of two Cincinnati defenders, and outran the rest of the defense for a 58-yard game-winning touchdown.

Record-Breaking Performances

Despite the loss, Joe Flacco delivered a career performance that will not soon be forgotten. The 40-year-old signal-caller completed 30 of 44 passes for a career-high 470 yards and four touchdowns. Remarkably, Flacco accomplished this feat while playing through a shoulder injury that had limited his practice time during the week.

For Chicago, Williams finished with 280 passing yards and three touchdown throws. But perhaps most remarkably, Williams also caught a touchdown pass from wide receiver D.J. Moore on a trick play—making him the first starting quarterback since 1953 to record multiple receptions in a single game.

Ground Game Dominance

While the passing attack grabbed headlines, the Bears' rushing performance was equally impressive. Rookie running back Kyle Monangai, making his first NFL start in place of the injured D'Andre Swift, exploded for 176 yards on 26 carries, averaging an impressive 6.8 yards per attempt. Chicago's ground game amassed a season-high 283 yards and averaged 7.6 yards per carry against Cincinnati's struggling defense.

Bengals' Season Spirals

For Cincinnati, this heartbreaking defeat marked their sixth loss in the last seven games, dropping them to 3-6 on the season. Despite scoring at least 30 points, the Bengals have now lost multiple games this year when reaching that threshold—a troubling trend that points to their defensive struggles. Cincinnati's defense ranks last in the NFL in total yards allowed and has surrendered at least 31 points in three consecutive games.

Wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase both eclipsed 100 receiving yards in the loss, with Higgins catching seven passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns, while Chase added six receptions for 111 yards.

Historical Context

The 47-42 final score marked the first time Cincinnati had scored 40 or more points and lost since a 51-45 defeat to Cleveland on September 16, 2007. The game's dramatic swings and high-scoring nature made it an instant candidate for Game of the Year honors, with the fourth quarter alone providing enough drama for an entire season.

Looking Ahead

The victory improved Chicago's record to 5-3, marking their fifth win in six games and solidifying their position in the NFC playoff race. The Bears will look to continue their momentum when they host the New York Giants next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati will have extra time to regroup, as they head into their bye week before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 16. For the Bengals, the bye week comes at a critical juncture as they attempt to salvage a season that has seen far too many close losses.