Three takeaways from Bears' 24-22 victory against Packers

The Bears’ most disappointing season in recent memory — maybe ever — came to an end Sunday in a most unexpected way. On matriarch Virginia McCaskey’s 102nd birthday, the 5-12 Bears beat the rival Packers 24-22 as time expired. Here are three takeaways:

A rare rivalry victory

The Bears won at Lambeau Field for the first time since 2015. They hadn’t beaten the Packers anywhere since December 2018, when they clinched the NFC North. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams now has as many victories against the Packers as Mitch Trubisky and Justin Fields combined.

Ugly

The Bears finished last in the NFC North for the second time in the last three seasons and the sixth time since 2014. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2010 and haven’t reached the playoffs since 2020. The three other NFC North teams are going to the postseason.

Cairo kicks it

Cairo Santos’ game-winning, 51-yard field goal as time expired was the eighth kick he had made from at least 50 yards this season, the most in franchise history. After setting a franchise record with 35 field goals last season, Santos had only 20 this season.